Relationships between Azerbaijan and France are sourced from strategic partnership, historical cooperation. France is the second state having recognized Azerbaijan’s independence (December 31, 1991). As a leading state of Europe, this state has a special place and role in the development of Azerbaijan-EU relations.

Among Caucasian countries, Azerbaijan comes first France has the closest commercial ties with. This is related to its hydrocarbon supply in particular. Trade turnover with Azerbaijan, which has always been high and reached 494 million euro in 2005, rose twice as result of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline in 2005, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline in 2006 and growth of production in Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field and reached 1,8 billion euro in 2008, and 3,2 billion euro in 2011, as Libyan oil was replaced with Azerbaijani oil. Bilateral cooperation in economic, political, cultural and educational spheres enhanced in the past years. France is the second trade partner to Azerbaijan and volume of trade is growing yearly. Trade turnover between the two states is about 2 billion USD. Azerbaijan is an important partner to France, particularly in energy sphere. Azerbaijan is a major actor for Europe’s energy security.

Visit of French President François Hollande to Azerbaijan on May 11 confirmed the above mentioned successful cooperation. Documents signed as part of the visit will play a significant role in identification of future cooperation in a number of spheres. Joint Declaration signed within the visit defines the main features of the bilateral political relations. Start of the visit from the French Lyceum in Baku demonstrates the importance attached to the development of relations in the field of education and high-level relationship.

In the person of Minsk group co-chair, France makes efforts for the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, no practical step has been taken in this course despite 20-year work. As a Minsk group co-chair, France is responsible for the objective solution of the conflict.

Governed by the course of the visit, documents signed, especially meeting of the heads of state and their communiqué, we can say present relations between France and Azerbaijan, the partner states, will further be developing. The official visit of the French President to our country set the beginning of an important phase for development of the friendly and partnership relations and deepening the mutual useful cooperation between the two countries. The visit once again proved relationships between France and Azerbaijan are based on the firm foundation and serve the mutual interests.

Naila Mammadova,
“Azerbaijan Realities”.