Glimpse into French political dwarfs Barnier’s diplomatic misstep

Michel Barnier, appointed as the new Prime Minister of France, made an illegal visit to the Azerbaijan’s formerly occupied territories in 2021. From December 21 to 23, 2021, he, along with French presidential candidate and later President of the Île-de-France Regional Council Valérie Pécresse, visited the Karabakh junta.

At the time, Baku questioned the Russian peacekeepers who allowed the French officials to enter Khankendi and use the visit for their electoral campaigns. While French politicians and various opportunists had visited Shusha and Khankendi throughout the years of occupation, having one of them become Prime Minister of France is unprecedented.

During her visit to Karabakh, Pécresse made a statement calling for the withdrawal of the French ambassador from Azerbaijan and the imposition of sanctions against the Baku government. She aimed to appease the Armenians, particularly the Armenian diaspora in France, which has long been a focal point for French politicians. Ultimately, it did not benefit her; Madame Pécresse did not even make it into the top three in the elections. However, the scandal is well-remembered. Moreover, she continued to associate with Karabakh separatist leaders, but this time in Paris.

Pécresse, along with other French politicians, also signed a statement against hosting the COP29 in Azerbaijan. However, this paper had no effect—Baku will host the important international forum despite the protests of pro-Armenian politicians in France. In fact, their pro-Armenian statements have long ceased to have practical value for official Yerevan.

For instance, on November 25, 2020, just two weeks after the signing of the Trilateral Statement on November 10, 2020, the French Senate adopted a resolution calling on the government to recognize the "independence of Artsakh." And where is that resolution now? Azerbaijan has fully restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity. No attempts by French President Emmanuel Macron to hinder this, including through the dissemination of Armenian propaganda, have thwarted the triumph of justice. All other efforts by various French politicians, including mayors of French cities that had "sister city" agreements with Azerbaijani cities temporarily under Armenian occupation, proved futile. Likewise, visits to Karabakh separatists by various French dignitaries, including the current French Prime Minister, had no impact on the new realities.

Present-day France is rather disheartening. The country no longer has politicians of global stature. France has become a lineup of political dwarfs, competing among themselves. However, the movements within their ranks have no impact on Baku's position. Azerbaijan is actively strengthening its position both regionally and globally, pursuing its own agenda.

As for Michel Barnier, I would like to remind you of the statement made by Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in December 2021, commenting on Valérie Pécresse's illegal visit to Khankendi. "Anyone who does not respect the territorial integrity of our country will be included in Azerbaijan's list of undesirable persons," he said. Naturally, this also applies to the newly appointed Prime Minister of France, who will not see Khankendi, or even Baku, anytime soon.

Regarding Michel Barnier, it's worth noting a statement made by Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, in December 2021 concerning Valérie Pécresse's unauthorized visit to Khankendi. He remarked, "Anyone who does not respect the territorial integrity of our country will be added to Azerbaijan's list of undesirable persons." This policy is expected to extend to the newly appointed Prime Minister of France as well, who is unlikely to visit Khankendi or Baku in the near future.