{"id":110423,"date":"2024-11-16T11:46:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-16T07:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abcmedia.am\/?p=110423"},"modified":"2024-11-16T16:12:37","modified_gmt":"2024-11-16T12:12:37","slug":"euronews-political-tensions-are-rising-between-azerbaijan-and-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abcmedia.am\/en\/politics\/110423\/","title":{"rendered":"Euronews: Political tensions are rising between Azerbaijan and France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Political tensions stemming from France’s support for Armenia and its accusations against Baku resurfaced at the COP29 climate summit, Euronews<\/a> writes.<\/p>\n

COP29 climate summit opened with a diplomatic incident in Azerbaijan, where host President Ilham Aliyev sparked tensions with France by accusing President Emmanuel Macron’s government of committing “crimes” in its overseas territories.<\/p>\n

Experts say the rising tensions between Paris and Baku stem from France’s strong support for Armenia in its territorial conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.<\/p>\n

“This is a largely political move by Azerbaijan to push back against France for its strong support of Armenia,” Teona Lavrelashvili told Euronews.<\/p>\n

Paris, in turn, accuses Baku of political interference, particularly in New Caledonia, where riots in May left 13 dead after a controversial draft law on electoral changes sparked unrest.<\/p>\n

“There is clear political interference. There is what is known as the Baku initiative group, which was set up in July 2023 and continues to thrive today,” said Bastien Vandendyck, a professor of Pacific geopolitics and chief of staff to Sonia Backès, President of New Caledonia’s southern province.<\/p>\n

A report from VIGINUM, France’s agency for monitoring foreign digital interference, indicates that Azerbaijan has carried out disinformation campaigns targeting France on social media.<\/p>\n

“If Azerbaijan truly cared about the right of peoples to self-determination, it would start with its own territory,” said the international relations analyst.<\/p>\n

Vandendyck believes Azerbaijan used New Caledonia as a testing ground for its tactics and is now shifting its focus to the French West Indies, French Guiana, and French Polynesia.<\/p>\n

Despite ongoing trade and gas contracts between Baku and the EU, tensions show no sign of easing.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"