(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By Sabina Mammadli
In 2022, Azerbaijan marks the 30th anniversary of establishing
diplomatic relations with the subjects of international relations -
both individual states and international organizations.
Azernews - the nation's first English language newspaper -
launched a new project, designed to cover the major aspects of the
30-year-long diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and individual
states.
Transcontinental France comes second with no reasoning behind
the order.
On February 21, France and Azerbaijan marked the 30th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The relations between the two states have seen ups and downs. On
the one hand, France is making attempts to initiate lasting peace
in the South Caucasus and planning to focus on opportunities for
cooperation such as mine clearance and assistance in identifying
missing people. On the other, the country at times expresses overt
support for the separatist regime in Karabakh.
Similarly, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's recent remarks that“Paris
is ready to make the necessary efforts to support the people of
Artsakh within the framework of humanitarian projects” during her
meeting with the separatist leader Arayik Harutyunyan in Goris,
Armenia, near the Azerbaijani border, are a clear example of
France's real policy.
For the state that claims to be so keen on peace-building and is
outspoken about the normalization of ties, French officials'
actions contradict the notions by meeting with a so-called
representative of an illegal entity in Azerbaijan.
Unlike Hidalgo, who at least did not break any laws, her
colleague - French presidential contender Valerie Pecresse - made
the notorious illegal visit to Karabakh in order to gain support
among Armenians in France back in December 2021.
Pecresse's meeting with the representatives of the illegal
entity, the so-called 'Nagorno-Karabakh republic', which is not
recognized by any state, including France, violated numerous
international obligations.
Pecresse's voyage is a clear indication that certain French
politicians appear to prioritize their own benefits over principles
of international law.
As previously reported by Azernews, the deputy director of one
of France's largest magazines, Le Figaro, Jean-Christophe Buisson
in his clearly pro-Armenian rhetoric made anti-Azerbaijani claims
more than once.
Nevertheless, the French embassy in Azerbaijan is supporting
Azerbaijan's mine-clearing operations in Karabakh by procuring
detectors and tool kits for deminers. At the same time, France
fails to put pressure on Armenia to come to terms with the post-war
realities in Karabakh and contribute to the lasting peace.
Over the 30-year-long period of diplomatic relations, the two
countries have been able to build strong ties on the basis of
partnership in the economic, cultural, and education spheres.
And for the convenience of our readers, we are trying to shed
light on specific aspects of the relations in a Q&A format.
Q: When did Azerbaijan and France establish
diplomatic relations? What do we know about the history of the
ties?
A: The French government recognized Azerbaijan's
independence in January 1992. Diplomatic relations between
Azerbaijan and France were established on February 21, 1992.
Notably, French ambassador to Azerbaijan Jean Perrin was the second
accredited diplomat after Turkey's Altan Karamanoglu. Azerbaijan
opened its embassy in Paris on November 20, 1994. France has also
had a representative office in Baku since February 1992.
Q: What are the common points between the two states
regarding the territorial integrity issue?
A: Guided by the norms and principles of international
law, France officially supports Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity.
However, having said the factors, we should also add that during
the 44-day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, French President
Emmanuel Macron and some French circles failed to remain neutral
though France is a co-chair in the OSCE Minsk Group that was
designed to bring about a solution to the conflict between Baku and
Yerevan through peaceful means.
In contradiction to the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair, only the interests of Armenia were protected and an
inadequate position, which did not meet the requirements of a
balanced and fair co-chairmanship, was displayed. This stance was
several times criticized by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and
some other senior officials.
Q: What is the current state and spheres of economic
cooperation between the two countries?
A: The Azerbaijan-French Economic Commission was
established in 1997.
Around 65 French companies, representing various sectors of the
economy, operate in Azerbaijan and participate as contractors in a
number of infrastructure projects.
A joint Azerbaijani-French business forum was held in Baku with
the participation of over 200 representatives of various companies
and government officials on May 12, 2014.
Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF International) is
an example of close ties between the two countries. The company,
which has been cooperating with Azerbaijan since 1992, is a
non-profit organization that represents the private sector of
France at the international level and includes about 7,100
companies. The organization's main goal is to promote the best
practices of French companies around the world. Some 65 French
companies operate in various sectors of the Azerbaijani economy,
including industry, energy, trade, services, agriculture, and
others.
French TOTAL company holds 50-percent-share in the project to
develop Azerbaijan's Absheron gas condensate field. TOTAL and State
Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) signed a relevant agreement in
2016 for a period of 30 years. SOCAR holds another 5 percent of
shares.
The field is being developed by JOCAP (Joint Operating Company
of Absheron Petroleum), a joint venture between SOCAR and Total.
The drilling was carried out by SOCAR's CDC (Caspian Drilling
Company).
Besides, the French Development Agency carries out projects in
the field of infrastructure and communications.
So far Azerbaijan invested over $2.1 billion in the French
economy, whereas over 42.2 billion was invested by France in the
Azerbaijani economy.
France's main exports are electrical equipment, ferrous metals,
and products made from them, chemical products, medicines, gas
meters, plastics, furniture, dairy products, live plants, buses,
etc.
The basis of Azerbaijan's export is crude oil, methanol,
walnuts, plastic bags and bags, fruit juice, etc.
The Azerbaijani-French trade turnover amounted to $245.4 million
in 2021.
Q: How do the two countries cooperate in
international, cultural, and other spheres?
A: Internationally, France and Azerbaijan cooperate
within the framework of various international organizations such as
the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and others.
France has been one of the co-chair states of the OSCE Minsk
Group since its establishment in an effort to find a peaceful
resolution to the conflict but to no avail.
The ties between the countries in the education sector are
exemplary, which can be seen by such successes as the
French-Azerbaijani University and the French Lyceum in Baku. These
institutions are considered the basis of friendship between France
and Azerbaijan.
As the French ambassador to Azerbaijan said France is promoting
new education projects in Azerbaijan. He noted that France
considers a master's program with the Azerbaijan Tourism and
Management University (ATMU). The program is supposed to facilitate
the growth of Azerbaijan's tourism sector, the prosperity of the
local community, the development of adventure tourism, as well as
the overall economic advancement.
An agreement on friendship and cooperation was signed between 12
cities of Azerbaijan and 10 cities and 1 province of France.
Moreover, 300 schools in Azerbaijan teach French.
Talking about the cultural aspect of the ties, it should be
noted that the countries share a tight exchange of cultural
heritage.
In this regard, in 2007, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation allocated
funds for the restoration of the interior of the Palace of
Versailles. In 2009, the foundation donated 53,776 US dollars for
the restoration of three stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of
Notre Dame in Strasbourg.
On July 4, 2013, at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation, the project 'Days of Azerbaijani culture' was launched
in France's Cannes, which lasted until July 7. On July 6, an
evening of classical music was held as part of the project of the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation to preserve and promote Azerbaijani
culture in the world. On July 7, a demonstration of Azerbaijani
cinema – the film 'Arshin Mal Alan' was presented.
In the following years, the Days of Culture of Azerbaijan were
also held in Cannes with the support of the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation.
---
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
MENAFN14062022000195011045ID1104370559