The influence of the Armenian lobby on the attitude of France, dominated by pretty strong Armenian lobby and diaspora, on Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, in particular, is sharply noticed today. 

But Francois Hollande started his official visit to South Caucasus on May 12, 2014 from Azerbaijan and it shows though the Armenian lobby has a mechanism of a strong influence, as the most powerful state of the region Azerbaijan has introduced itself to the international community in the positive sense and chosen the impartial, deliberate and transparent course of foreign policy. Also, the closest economic cooperation France has with Azerbaijan among the South Caucasian countries can be considered a logical cause to start the visit from Azerbaijan.    

After the fall of USSR, Russia strives to keep the ethnic conflicts within former Soviet republics frozen to have them dependent. The background of the conflicts shows the activity of Russia is undeniable here.

Le Monde covered this point. The newspaper wrote regarding the French President’s visit to South Caucasus: “The visit President Francois Hollande of France paid to South Caucasian countries is not by chance. In the background of the Ukrainian conflict the French President visited May 11-13 to former Soviet republics – Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. F.Hollande’s visit to these countries is not directly related to the solution of the frozen conflicts in the region. Via the President’s visit official Paris gave a message to the Kremlin, which keeps on raising its pressures to the former Soviet republics.”

According to Le Monde, through the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Russia wants to strengthen its influence on Azerbaijan and Armenia. For this reason, the Kremlin does not allow the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Experts say with this step F.Hollande gave the Kremlin a message that France will stand before every plan of Russia with South Caucasus.  

The most important issue experts were thinking about after the Ukrainian stories happened was Russia’s plans for Caucasus. Because Russia’s increasing its forces in North Caucasus, holding military trainings, modernizing its navy in Caspian Sea, also delaying the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem on purpose and equipping its military base in Guemrue with new weapons do not exclude the accomplishment of Ukrainian incidents in 3 South Caucasian countries too.  

Besides, Georgia’s intention to sign the agreement of association with EU soon, Azerbaijan’s Eurointegration policy, implementation of energy projects with European countries, representation of influential Western companies in our country, which is an alternative source of energy to EU, increases anxiety of Russia about South Caucasus. 

The statement the French President made for media following his visit to Azerbaijan says the key goal of the visit is to prevent realization of the Ukrainian stories in South Caucasus: “We have talked about this to assure you on the position of France, Europe in this issue, see that we are loyal to territorial integrity of countries. So, to achieve resolution of the long-term conflicts we mention the necessity of being open to the dialogue. Here is the reason why I am on a visit to Caucasus, to Azerbaijan today. France is ready to help the conflict to be settled in a phasic manner. You showed here certain elements. It is necessary for both sides to take reliable measures. Time should be fixed then to find a proper status.”

However, Azerbaijan-France relations are not limited with the settlement of the conflict only. Cooperation carried out in the political, economic, energy, scientific-cultural, humanitarian and other spheres was discussed in the meeting and the following documents were signed:  

1.  “The Joint Statement of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the French Republic”

2. “The Agreement on scientific cooperation between the Scientific Development Fund under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Center for Scientific Research of the French Republic

3. “The Agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood and Forestry of the French Republic”

4. “The Memorandum of Understanding between the Transport Ministry of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy of the French Republic”

5. “The Memorandum of Understanding between the Energy Ministry of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy of the French Republic”

6. “The Administrative Understanding on bilateral cooperation between the State Committee on Family, Woman and Child Problems of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Women’s Rights, City, Youth and Sport of the French Republic”

7. “The Letter of Intent on university cooperation between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research of the French Republic”

Apparently, though the major direction in relationships of Azerbaijan with France, its important partner, is an energy sector, bilateral cooperation is continued within business forum and in the spheres of transport, culture and education as well.

Laman Khalilova
“Azerbaijan Realities”