France has recalled its ambassador to Azerbaijan, Anne Boillon, for consultations about Baku’s continued unilateral actions during the past several months, which Paris believes is damaging relations between the two countries, France’s foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
“The President of the Republic received our ambassador today on this occasion. He expressed regret over the actions of Azerbaijan and expressed the wish that the Azerbaijani side would clarify its intentions,” the French foreign ministry statement said.
France reiterates its support for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, while respecting international law and the territorial integrity of the two countries. This standardization will benefit both countries and the entire region,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Baku has accused France of “seriously undermining” efforts by Baku and Yerevan to achieve normalization as Paris has recalled its ambassador from Azerbaijan.
Commenting on the decision by Paris, Aykhan Hajizada, a spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday that France’s “clearly anti-Azerbaijani steps” after the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war over Nagorno-Karabakh are “known to everyone.”
Hajizada denied any “unilateral actions” on the part of Azerbaijan, claiming that Baku’s actions and official statements were just “a response to France’s destructive actions.”
“Despite the slanderous campaign against our country, we have always kept the doors open for dialogue,” Hajizada said, as quoted by Azerbaijani media.
In recent months Baku has been reacting harshly, in particular, to expanding French-Armenian relations, including growing military cooperation between Paris and Yerevan.
Officials in Baku have repeatedly accused France of “undermining stability” in the South Caucasus by arming Armenia and showing a “unilateral approach and pro-Armenian position.” Along with it Azerbaijan has effectively boycotted all negotiations with Armenia where France would be involved as an intermediary.
Baku has cited France’s “pro-Armenian” position and actions like initiating “anti-Azerbaijani” documents and resolutions at various international platforms, including the UN Security Council, as a factor depriving it of the status of a neutral mediator in negotiations between Baku and Yerevan.
“It is obvious that France’s actions to arm Armenia and militarize the region do not promote peace,” Hajizada said.
