France's Foreign Ministry Accused of Bias by Baku

Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Aykhan Hajizade commented on the responses of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France to questions from members of the National Assembly of that country.

As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baku strongly condemned and rejected the unfounded responses of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs published on June 23 on the parliament's website in response to questions from members of the French National Assembly concerning support for Armenians "displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh," the "fate of Armenian prisoners and their release," "Armenian religious and cultural heritage," "human rights in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process," as well as "human rights in Azerbaijan."

The ministry stated that the French side's position is yet another manifestation of the biased approach that Paris has long demonstrated toward the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed regret that the French side's responses devote considerable attention to Armenia's security issues, the situation of "Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh," and "persons of Armenian origin detained in Azerbaijan," while failing to mention such issues as the nearly 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, the damage and destruction caused, the displacement of more than one million Azerbaijanis who became internally displaced persons and refugees, the fate of missing persons, as well as the ongoing mine threat.

The fact that the French side, despite positioning itself as a supporter of the peace process, places particular emphasis on defense cooperation with Armenia and encourages the activities of the EUMA mission, once again demonstrates that France is entirely far from neutrality in the region. France's expansion of military cooperation with Armenia, its arming of that country, and its demonstration of a one-sided political position in the region do not serve peace. On the contrary, such steps encourage revanchist tendencies and undermine the normalization process.

Claims about "Armenian prisoners and detained persons" are entirely contrary to reality. Turning this issue into a subject of political manipulation and attempts to call into question court decisions are unacceptable. Persons of Armenian origin were held accountable in Azerbaijan for specific criminal acts in accordance with national legislation and international law. Separatist leaders and other persons of Armenian origin, whom France, along with Armenia, has been concerned about for nearly 30 years, have been convicted of war crimes, ethnic cleansing, military aggression, torture, and other grave crimes and are serving their sentences.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the position of the French side is bewildering, as it turns a blind eye to the facts of destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, the demolition of mosques and acts of vandalism against them in Armenia and in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan, while making claims regarding "Armenian cultural and religious heritage."

In addition to the above, it is surprising that France — a country remembered for numerous examples of corruption among politicians, police violence, harsh dispersal of protesters, pressure on journalists, violations of migrants' rights and religious discrimination, as well as violence in France's overseas territories, including New Caledonia — attempts to lecture Azerbaijan on human rights.

The responses of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again show that Paris still has difficulty accepting the realities of the region and, instead of contributing to the strengthening of peace in the South Caucasus, continues to adhere to outdated and one-sided political approaches. This deals a serious blow both to France's authority in the region and to its image as a reliable partner.