Azerbaijan supports independence movements in French territories
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev: Reuters
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pledged on Saturday to assist France’s overseas territories in their quest for independence. This statement marks the latest development in a series of disputes between Azerbaijan and France, which have been exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the Caucasus.
Aliyev accused France of meddling in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs due to its dealings with Armenia, with whom Azerbaijan has fought two wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Recently, Azerbaijani officials have focused on France’s South Pacific territory, New Caledonia, which has been plagued by unrest due to Indigenous Kanak opposition to a controversial electoral reform.
Aliyev’s remarks came during a media forum held shortly before the Olympic Games in Paris and following a congress in Baku that brought together pro-independence groups from New Caledonia and other French territories.
“We will support you until you are free,” Aliyev declared, referring to these French territories as still being under colonial rule. He highlighted the Comoros islands and Mayotte as examples of regions still suffering from remnants of colonialism.
Earlier this week, an initiative group organised a congress in Baku with representatives from pro-independence movements in New Caledonia, Corsica, and other French Caribbean and Pacific islands. Reports from French media indicated that the congress sharply criticised French authorities, and an Azerbaijani delegation was invited to visit New Caledonia.
In response to the unrest in New Caledonia, France accused Azerbaijan of fuelling the discord by disseminating misleading photos and videos targeting French police on social media. Azerbaijan has denied these allegations.
Tensions between Azerbaijan and France have been further inflamed by accusations that France is biased towards Armenia in peace negotiations and by recent defence contracts signed with Yerevan. In December, Azerbaijan expelled two French diplomats in response to these conflicts.