Baku Responds to Statements from France

The head of the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Aykhan Hajizade, has responded to the comments made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. He stated that the comments made by Barrot, accusing Azerbaijan of interfering in the affairs of overseas territories, are a blatant attempt to cover up France's inaction regarding the demands of the indigenous population in New Caledonia.

“It is France that has always intervened in regional issues and attempted to disrupt the processes of peace and stability put forward by Azerbaijan,” he emphasized.

According to the official representative of the Azerbaijani MFA, the activities of the Baku initiative group aim to inform the public about France's colonial policies and issues in overseas territories.

“Instead of stopping the policy of repression against the indigenous population of New Caledonia, where at least 14 people were killed and many injured last year as a result of the use of force, the blackmail against Azerbaijan demonstrates how futile France's foreign policy strategy is. Furthermore, France's misuse of its role and resources in numerous international organizations to pressure human rights defenders in NGOs advocating against colonial policies is pointless and will yield no results. We categorically reject and condemn the anti-Azerbaijani claims of the French foreign minister,” he added.

It should be noted that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Lecornu had previously stated, “The Baku group has once again attempted to destabilize our national political life in New Caledonia. These futile attempts by Azerbaijan in our overseas territories are unacceptable and must cease immediately.” He made these remarks in response to the Baku initiative group's recent conduct of a congress of the International Decolonization Front in Nouméa (the administrative center of New Caledonia).

According to the statement from X, the event, which took place from January 23-25, was attended by representatives from France's overseas territories as well as various associations from Corsica advocating for independence from France.

During the previous summit held in the capital of Azerbaijan in July 2024, leaders from over 15 political parties and independence movements from Guadeloupe, Corsica, Melanesia, Polynesia, Caribbean, and Antillean islands participated. At this meeting, they signed a declaration to establish an international liberation front for French colonies.

The Baku initiative group was established in July 2023 during a conference held in Azerbaijan within the framework of a ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement's coordinating bureau. It declared its aim to support the struggle of peoples suffering from colonialism in the 21st century.