The tensions between France and Azerbaijan have intensified resulting in the reciprocal expulsion of two diplomats. France declared two Azerbaijani diplomats as “persona non grata” in response to Baku’s decision to expel two French diplomats on Tuesday, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
The expulsion comes after Azerbaijan accused France of destabilizing the Caucasus region by supporting its long-time rival Armenia. In recent months, Azerbaijan has been claiming that France’s support for Armenia is contributing to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Expelling diplomats is a common retaliatory measure taken by countries to express their dissatisfaction. In this case, it reflects the deepening diplomatic rift between France and Azerbaijan over their differing positions on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The conflict, which has been ongoing for 30 years, involves a territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In September, Azerbaijan launched a swift offensive and regained control of the region, prompting the majority of the Armenian population to flee to Armenia.
Despite recent announcements by both Azerbaijan and Armenia to normalize relations, the progress of peace talks has been slow. France has expressed its readiness to participate in mediation efforts while maintaining unwavering support for Armenia’s territorial integrity.
In addition to diplomatic tensions, the conflict has spilled over into the information sphere. French organization Viginum, which combats foreign digital interference, revealed that actors linked to Azerbaijan conducted a misinformation campaign aimed at tarnishing France’s reputation as the host of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Furthermore, in November, Azerbaijan accused France, Germany, and the United States of being involved in the “illegal financing” of an investigative media organization, which resulted in two arrests.
The escalation of diplomatic tensions between France and Azerbaijan underscores the complex nature of international relations and the challenges of resolving long-standing conflicts. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the two countries will navigate their differences and work towards a lasting resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
