December 1, 2020
France backtracks from senate resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
France does not recognize the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, despite the earlier approved Senate resolution calling for recognition, the French Foreign Ministry.
France does not recognize the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, TASS quoted a statement from the French Foreign Ministry as saying.
The ministry drew attention to the fact that the French Senate had previously adopted a resolution calling on the country's authorities to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. However, during a debate on this topic, Secretary of State at the Foreign Ministry Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne recalled the French authorities' position and noted that it does not change.
Our priority today should be to ensure the safe return of persons displaced due to the conflict, says the statement of the French Foreign Ministry, also stressing Paris's status as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair.
The French Foreign Ministry also notes that the outcome of the negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the status of Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be dictated unilaterally.
As part of its Minsk Group co-chairmanship, Paris will remain committed to moving forward on all parameters that have yet to be agreed upon after the ceasefire agreement, the French Foreign Ministry said.
NEWS.ru reported that French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Zacharie Gross was summoned to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 26.
During the meeting, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Azerbaijan presented a note of protest to the Ambassador in connection with the resolution on 'Necessity of recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic' adopted by the French Senate on November 25, the Azerbaijani ministry said in a press statement.
French Senate’s Resolution
The decision to adopt the resolution was taken almost unanimously. Among 336 senators, only one voted against, and 305 voted for the adoption of resolution.
The resolution not only contains an appeal to the recognition of the Republic, it also demands the withdrawal of Azerbaijani military forces from the territories occupied since the outbreak of clashes on September 27. Today, 16 localities of the Kelbajar region of Nagorno-Karabakh came under the control of Azerbaijan. The remaining localities that come under Baku’s control are located in Lachin (52), Martakert (8), Hadrut (29), Shusha (2), Askeran (8) and Martuni (6) regions.
The resolution calls on the French government to condemn the aggression of Azerbaijan with the powerful support of Turkey and to influence the immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from the territories occupied by them during the hostilities from September 27, 2020.
The resolution also calls for an investigation of the war crimes committed in Artsakh, including attacks against civilians and the use of prohibited weapons, to impose sanctions against Turkey.
According to the draft resolution, France should actively work within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group to ensure the security of the Armenian population and the right to return of displaced citizens, providing large-scale humanitarian aid, as well as contributing to the preservation of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage.
Earlier, the Paris City Council adopted a resolution on the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh, in which it called on the mayor of the French capital to apply with a letter to the head of the foreign ministry with an appeal for France to recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
Armenian foreign ministry
On the French Senate resolution on Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia's foreign ministry said:
“The resolution adopted by the French Senate is a crucial step towards the recognition of the right to self-determination exercised by the people of Artsakh and the fair settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. With this decision the French people and the Senate representing them once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the universal civilizational values of human rights.”
While reaffirming the need of resuming the negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, this decision outlines ways to eliminate the grave consequences of Azerbaijan’s aggression against the people of Artsakh with the support of Turkey and foreign mercenaries, the statement said adding:
“We consider specifically important that the violations of international law and the norms of human rights as well as Turkey’s expansionist policy have been clearly acknowledged in the decision.The French legislators’ impartial assessment and condemnation of the criminal aggression against the people of Artsakh and the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process contributes to the establishment of a durable peace in the region.”
Turkish MPs condemn French resolution
Major parties in Turkey's parliament on Friday issued a joint declaration condemning the French Senate's resolution on Upper Karabakh.
"As the political parties that have parliamentary groups in the Turkish parliament, we strongly condemn the French Senate's resolution on Nov. 25, 2020 that has been approved in defiance of the law, morality and fairness," read the declaration.
"We declare that those who took such hostile steps against our country and our brotherly country Azerbaijan are noted by our parliament and our beloved nation," it added.
What France Want?
According to SouthFront, France remains the main Western supporter of Armenia. The Armenian diaspora in France is the largest in Europe. The political establishment of Armenia, especially the Pashinyan’s administration, is strongly linked to France. For example, there is the French University in Yerevan, where the future Armenian political elite studies, and it is directly managed from France.
“Charles de Gaulle said:“ France cannot be a France without greatness.” Today, it is the parliament that is the embodiment of this greatness, supporting the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. We could not avoid the war, we will do everything to avoid dishonor, ”said Senator Valerie Boye.
Officially, the French Senate proclaims its commitment to the human rights support and its readiness to prevent the new escalation in the region, blames the Azerbaijani attack and its war crimes.
However, the real French support to the citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh is mostly declarative. At the moment, only one plain with humanitarian aid was sent to Yerevan. It is not compared, for example, to the Russian humanitarian support.
France’s main aim is to prevent the spread of Turkish influence in the region. “Only its independence can guarantee the rights and freedoms of the populations of Nagorno-Karabakh which faces Turkish Islamist expansionism,” the French Senator said in a Twitter post.
About Karabakh Conflict
Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when Karabakh, mainly populated by Armenians, declared its independence from Azerbaijan.
On December 10, 1991, a few days after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a referendum took place in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the majority of the population (99.89%) voted for secession from Azerbaijan.
Afterwards, large-scale military operations began. As a result, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven regions adjacent to it. Some 30,000 people were killed in this war and about one million people fled their homes.
Abdus Sattar Ghazali is the Chief Editor of the Journal of America (www.journalofamerica.net) email: asghazali2011 (@) gmail.com
The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
Special Correspondent
Maryam Turab
Your donation
is tax deductable.
