On January 6th, French President Emmanuel Macron made a sharp statement during an annual ambassadors conference, accusing Azerbaijan of “unacceptable interference” in France’s overseas territories, including New Caledonia.
This accusation not only shook the relationship between France and Azerbaijan but also touched upon more complex paradoxes in France’s foreign policy, particularly in the context of its relations with Russia and Armenia.
Macron reiterated that France has always defended international law and supported Armenia, while, in his view, Russia “unexpectedly” changed its stance by supporting Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh.
However, Macron’s criticism of Russia appears somewhat odd at first glance, considering that Moscow, despite its political interests in the region, has been more consistent in upholding the principle of respecting Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity than France. In contrast, Paris justifies Armenia’s occupation policies and the ethnic cleansing it has carried out.
A recent video surfaced in which former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan openly acknowledged the policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. However, Macron prefers not to comment on such admissions, as they might undermine his support among the powerful Armenian diaspora in France.
Moreover, the French President overlooks the fact that the war of 2020 and Azerbaijan’s counter-terrorism operation in 2023 occurred on the territory of a sovereign state. In both 2020 and 2023, Azerbaijan defended its sovereignty and territorial integrity without Russia’s support. Victory was achieved on the battlefield. In October 2023, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a declaration recognising Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.
Despite this, France has actively supported Armenia, not only diplomatically but also with arms supplies, strengthening the Armenian military and fueling revanchist sentiments, thus destabilising the region. It is no secret that this strategy is part of France’s geopolitical game in the region, aimed against Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
Neocolonialism in Action: How France Maintains Control Over Its Former Colonies
In 2024, France experienced a political storm: three individuals successively assumed the position of Prime Minister, reflecting the political instability and internal crisis gripping the country. The desire to conceal real problems behind fabricated external threats only intensifies the alienation of the population and fuels discontent.
Paris, claiming its commitment to democratic values on the world stage, increasingly seems distant from their realisation at home. A prime example of this is its disregard for the demands of New Caledonia and the accusations against Baku for so called “interference” in France’s internal affairs.
Clearly, such statements are an attempt to divert attention from deeper issues. It was, in fact, through Baku’s actions within the framework of its presidency in the Non-Aligned Movement that the world began to see the truth about France’s neocolonialism, masked by the facade of “aid” and “cooperation.”
When France declared the end of its colonial era, the “liberation” of the peoples of its former colonies was met with applause. However, decades later, it became clear that France continued to control these nations, albeit through new methods. Neocolonialism is not just a term but a reality for the former colonies, where France retains its influence through economic, military, and cultural mechanisms.
A striking example is the French CFA franc, still used in 14 African countries and controlled by Paris. This limits the economic independence of these nations, with profits from natural resources extracted from their territories often flowing directly to Paris. French companies such as Total and Orange continue to dominate the African economy, while French military bases ensure strategic control over key regions, disguised as “peacekeeping” missions.
However, France’s influence extends beyond the economy and the military. Cultural dominance through the French language, the education system, and cultural institutions such as the Alliance Française perpetuate mental dependence. This breeds resentment, especially among the youth, who are increasingly aware of the need for true independence and liberation from French control.
Thus, Macron’s criticism of Azerbaijan, his disregard for obvious facts, and his justification of Armenia’s policies, alongside the continued neocolonial influence over former colonies, all point to France’s struggle to hold onto outdated notions of its role as a global power. While the country faces internal crises and growing discontent, its foreign policy continues to deepen alienation and provoke new conflicts, leaving the world to question whether France is truly committed to its own democratic principles.
Anastasia Lavrina
