Global geopolitical realities continue to change, and the so-called post-Soviet states, often perceived as appendages of Russia, are increasingly becoming a factor not only in regional but also in global politics. Needless to say, Ukraine and its president are now at the center of world politics.
But Azerbaijan is also becoming more ambitious in a positive sense. The success in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War became a turning point in the current situation and balance of power. However, in order to consolidate this success, Azerbaijan must now openly challenge not Armenia, but truly serious global players.
No, we are not talking about Russia, against which Azerbaijan must resist mainly covertly, while publicly demonstrating Ilham Aliyev’s friendly relations with Vladimir Putin. We are now talking about France, which does not hide its pro-Armenian position, but at the same time, for unclear reasons, tries to claim the role of a mediator in the final settlement of the complex Azerbaijani-Armenian problems, including the resolution of the Karabakh issue.
And these provocative actions of Paris not only provoked protests from Baku (there were already many of them), but also prompted it to launch a real political offensive. We are talking about this week’s announcement of the creation of the Baku Initiative, supported by countries opposed to French colonialism in Africa. Representatives of Martinique, Guyana, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna and the Solomon Islands announced their participation in the founding event in Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev personally addressed them with a programmatic speech, briefly talking about the dark history of French colonialism and stating that France should repent and abandon this policy. «The territories outside Europe under the control of France are repulsive remnants of the French colonial empire. France must respect the sovereignty of the Comoros Islands over Mayotte and the rights of the people of New Caledonia and other peoples of French overseas communities and territories,» Ilham Aliyev said.
Thus, if Paris thought that it would act as an arbiter in the region and defend the interests of «Artsakh» from three thousand miles away, official Baku makes it clear that it will discuss with France the problems of Mayotte, the Comoros or New Caledonia, and not its internal problems, for the solution of which it does not need France’s help.
A very wise move.