“Due to Azerbaijan’s pursuit of unilateral actions in recent months that are damaging to the relationship” between Paris and Baku, France recalled “for consultation” its ambassador, Leyla Abdullayeva, announced the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday April 16.
Head of State Emmanuel Macron “received our ambassador today on this subject. He regretted Azerbaijan’s actions and expressed the wish for clarification by the Azerbaijani side of its intentions., according to the ministry press release released in the evening.
“France reiterates its support for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, while respecting international law and the territorial integrity of the two countries. This standardization will benefit both countries and the entire region”continues to the Quai d’Orsay.
Deterioration of relations linked to tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh
Relations between France and Azerbaijan have deteriorated in recent months, with Azerbaijani head of state Ilham Aliev accusing Paris of supporting Armenia in the territorial conflict between Yerevan and Baku in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is has hardened in recent years.
In September, Baku notably launched a lightning offensive which led to the capitulation of the Armenian separatists. Almost the entire Armenian population of the region – more than 100,000 people out of 120,000 – has since fled to Armenia. The two neighboring countries and former Soviet republics had already clashed in two wars for control of this territory: the first, from 1988 to 1994, which ended in Armenia’s victory; the second, which lasted 44 days in 2020, and which reversed the balance of power with the overwhelming victory of Azerbaijan.
Baku and Yerevan recently announced their desire to normalize their relations. In this matter, France, host to a large Armenian diaspora, said it was ready to participate in mediation efforts, while displaying its unwavering support for Armenia.
At the beginning of April, Paris deplored the extension of the pre-trial detention in Azerbaijan of a French national accused of espionage, allegations that the French authorities have “categorically” rejected several times. Three weeks after his arrest, Baku announced the expulsion of two French diplomats, before France announced an identical reciprocal measure the next day, the culmination of strong tensions in bilateral relations.