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Fatima Latifova

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France's long-standing policy of claiming "motherhood" over Armenia continues unabated. Particularly, the periodic unfounded accusations against Azerbaijan from the French embassy in Armenia have become a habit, exacerbating the already existing tensions in the region. Recently, French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies explicitly portrays Baku as an aggressive country in an interview with the Armenian media outlet "Hetq," using baseless statements regarding Garabagh that lack any factual basis.

His "opinions" against Azerbaijan regarding military actions and humanitarian conditions are completely biased and hypocritical. Ignoring the genocide and atrocities committed by Armenia on Azerbaijan's territory over the past 30 years, the ambassador refers to Armenians sent safely to Armenia and granted the right to live in Azerbaijan as "internally displaced persons," while discussing the importance of preserving their "centuries-old cultural heritage."

Such statements from the ambassador reflect France's position in the region. They dismiss the expulsion of Azerbaijanis who once lived in Armenia, as well as the historical fact that Yerevan was the centre of the Azerbaijani Erivan Khanate. France also disregards the illegitimate establishment of the current Armenian state on Azerbaijani lands, which has contributed to the separation of Nakhchivan from the main lands of Azerbaijan.

However, France is well aware of history. As affirmed by UN resolutions, the international legal recognition of Garabagh as Azerbaijani territory cannot be ignored. Ambassador Decottignies's reference to the term "Arsakh" is a sign of disrespect and impropriety.

Beyond its biased policies, it is unacceptable for a state to dismiss another's natural rights, covering up Armenia's aggressive policies while slandering Azerbaijan. This not only challenges Azerbaijan's sovereignty but also contributes to escalating tensions in the region.

Instead of contributing to the resolution of the conflict, France is engaged in sowing seeds of discord. It is clear that this activity is not intended for Armenia's prosperity. The Élysée Palace today is making calls for war and revenge rather than encouraging the Armenian side toward peace, claiming to support Armenia in the media while actually leading Yerevan to disaster.

The victories of Azerbaijan in counter-offensive operations in 2020 and 2023 have long proven how helpless and isolated Armenia is in a real war, despite claims of support from French politicians, who continue to issue statements "encouraging" Armenians. Ultimately, it is the suffering Armenian people who bear the brunt, and the responsible parties are the Armenian authorities that have ignored Azerbaijan's repeated calls for peace and engaged in provocations at the border.

As Azerbaijan and Armenia wish to continue peace talks after the war, the French government's actions that provoke scandal by violating international law, humanity, and professional ethics are a disgrace.

Moreover, after its disgrace at the Summer Olympics, it is shameful for Paris to exploit every opportunity to claim that Azerbaijan is not a capable host for COP29, using this event for its own nefarious games. While many countries discuss the global climate crisis that poses a threat to the planet, France’s pursuit of the supposed ignored rights of Armenians returning to Armenia only reveals its deeply selfish nature.

The Armenian government must understand that the sole purpose of its supposed ally and partner France is to seize Armenia in place of the colonies it lost in Africa. Paris, seeking to assert itself and expand its sphere of influence in the Caucasus, openly offers false promises and meaningless statements in a pretence of supporting Armenia. The reality is that France is the one that will abandon Armenia in times of danger.