Baku, January 31, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Azerbaijani government has strongly rejected recent allegations made by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, regarding Azerbaijan’s purported interference in France’s overseas territories.
In a statement issued on January 30, Aykhan Hajizade, spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed regret over Barrot’s remarks during Senate discussions on January 29, dismissing them as baseless accusations.
“We regret that on January 29, 2025, at the Senate discussions, Jean-Noël Barrot once again attempted to disseminate allegations about the so-called interference of Azerbaijan in overseas territories of France,” Hajizade said.
Hajizade further emphasized that Azerbaijan views these allegations as an effort to deflect attention from France’s handling of the situation in New Caledonia, where ongoing tensions have led to significant unrest.
“We reiterate that the comment by the Foreign Minister of France accusing Azerbaijan of overseas territories interference is an overt attempt to cover up France’s inaction vis-à-vis demands of the indigenous population of New Caledonia,” he stated.
He also pointed to France’s historical role in regional affairs, asserting that Paris has been involved in undermining peace and stability in various regions, including Azerbaijan.
“It was France that has always interfered in regional affairs and tried to undermine the process led by Azerbaijan to restore peace and stability,” he added.
Hajizade defended the activities of the Baku Initiative Group, a non-governmental organization advocating for decolonization, arguing that efforts to discredit such groups only serve to hinder global efforts against colonial policies.
“The Baku Initiative Group, being an NGO, aims to bring into publicity France’s colonial policies and problems in overseas territories. Efforts to denigrate the work of such groups undermine the process of decolonization,” he asserted.
Criticizing France’s approach to the unrest in New Caledonia, Hajizade referenced the casualties resulting from recent protests and clashes in the territory.
“Instead of ending the policy of repression against the indigenous population of New Caledonia—where at least 14 people died and many were injured last year—France resorts to blackmailing Azerbaijan, which demonstrates the futility of its foreign policy strategy,” he said.
Hajizade also condemned what he described as France’s misuse of its influence in international organizations to exert pressure on NGOs advocating against neocolonial policies.
“Moreover, the abuse by France of its role and resources in multiple international organizations to put pressure on international NGO advocates aiming at propagating against neocolonial policies is pointless and will not yield results,” he stated.
Concluding his remarks, Hajizade reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s rejection of the accusations made by the French foreign minister.
“We resolutely reject and condemn the anti-Azerbaijani claims of the French Foreign Minister,” he said.
The latest diplomatic exchange underscores the ongoing tensions between Azerbaijan and France, particularly concerning issues related to decolonization and geopolitical influence in overseas territories.