Senate Resolution Is a Blow to French Interests in the South Caucasus Vusal Gasimli

Analytics 15:40 27.11.2020

On November 18, a group of senators under the influence of the Armenian diaspora and the lobby submitted a draft resolution No. 145 "On the need to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" to the Presidium of the French Senate. After the discussion, it was adopted on November 25. Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, noted that the resolution adopted under the influence of the Armenian lobby also shows that new realities in the region are not accepted. “In fact, Azerbaijan is France's largest trading partner in the South Caucasus. 2/3 of the total trade turnover of France in the South Caucasus accounts for Azerbaijan. The total volume of trade between Armenia and Georgia with France is two times less than the trade turnover of Azerbaijan with France. According to the information for 2019, Azerbaijan's exports to France amounted to 537 million US dollars, and the value of goods imported from France was 251 million US dollars. For comparison, in 2019, Armenia's exports to France amounted to only 8.72 million US dollars, and the value of goods imported to Armenia from France was 82.95 million US dollars. In terms of exports to France, Azerbaijan is 62 times ahead of Armenia and in terms of imports from France - 3 times. This imbalance in the trade turnover shows that the French Senate, contrary to the basic principles of the republic, gives preference to Armenian patronage, rather than pragmatism and justice", said V.Gasimli.

V. Gasimli noted that positive dynamics have been observed in the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and France. According to his words, “In 2019, exports from Azerbaijan to France increased by 21.5 percent compared to the previous year, and imports - by 37 percent., France, with a share of 4 percent ranks 11th among the countries to which Azerbaijan exports. With a share of 1.83 percent it also ranks 12th among the countries from which Azerbaijan carries out imports. The products that Azerbaijan imported from France in 2019 include trains, railway and metro equipment, essential oils, perfumes and cosmetics, medicines, nuclear reactors, electrical equipment, cars, furniture, lighting products, etc. By its decision, taken under the influence of the Armenian lobby, the French Senate weakens the positions of its companies in Azerbaijan. Besides, the same senators receive salaries from taxes paid by French companies, which annually sell products worth 200-300 million dollars in the Azerbaijani market, participate in tenders worth billions of dollars. Thus, it turns out that the French Senate is busy cutting down the branch on which it sits. It is hard to understand the senators who create difficulties for French companies in Azerbaijan and Turkey with consumer market of 10 million and 83 million, respectively. Such French companies that sell their products in the Azerbaijani market, such as Michelin, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, Tefal, Loreal, Dior, Lancome, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Lacoste, Chloe, Chanel, Nina Ricci, Cartier, Givenchy, Garnier, Danone, Activia, President, Perrier, Evian, Elle & Ville, Doux must explain to the Senate that they pay tax to the French budget for the sake of the interests of their country, and not of Armenian fanaticism".

According to Vusal Gasimli, Azerbaijan is also the country that attracts the most French investments in the South Caucasus. As he noted, “More than 50 French companies operate in Azerbaijan in various fields: energy (Total), transport (Alstom, Thales, Iveco, Systra), environment (Suez CNIM), agriculture and food (Lactalis, Danone), hospitality (ACCOR), banking (Societe Generale), aviation and space industry (Airbus, Thales). French companies participated as contractors in projects in Azerbaijan that worth 6.2 billion US dollars. From 1995 to 2019, French companies invested 2.2 billion dollars in the economy of Azerbaijan with 2 billion dollars accounting for the oil sector and 194.1 million - the non-oil industry. The volume of Azerbaijani investments in France amounted to 224.7 million US dollars. In 2004-2018, French companies completed orders for Azerbaijan worth 2.3 billion dollars. French companies are further interested in economic relations with Azerbaijan. In particular, given that French companies have great potential in post-conflict construction in Azerbaijan, the Senate resolution puts them in a difficult position. These companies should explain to the French public, parliamentarians and the government that excessive Armenian patronage deals a devastating blow to French interests in the South Caucasus”.

Afterwards, V. Gasimli said that the French company Total has a 5% share in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project and 50% in the offshore territory of Absheron. “The French company Total participates in oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan and Armenia targets these projects and organizes missile attacks. Total should explain to the French parliament and government that France's multibillion-dollar investments in Azerbaijan are threatened by Armenia. In July of this year, Armenia attacked not only the territory of Tovuz, but also the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project, in which Total is a shareholder. Azerbaijan protects from Armenian fascism not only the integrity of its territory, but also the infrastructure that is important for the energy and transport security of Europe. Was that the reason why the French Senate passed a resolution? So why does France, trying to present itself as a political leader in Europe, displease Azerbaijan, which plays a significant role in the energy and transport security of Europe? The creation of tension in the South Caucasus is contrary to the vital interests of France and Europe”, he said.

V. Gasimli also noted that the French Senate’s decision, which does not possess legal force and the ability of real influence, opposes the national interests of France. He told, “If France does not want to lose its influence in the region completely, it must correctly regulate its relations with Azerbaijan - a geostrategic player in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan is the main guarantor of peace and security in the South Caucasus. If France's interests in this region are also related to peace and security, then the only solution for it is the cooperation with Azerbaijan. Otherwise, France will be the losing party. France should not sacrifice its national interests to Armenian patronage".

Article is written by Vusal Gasimli

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Spain voices concern over Iran's suspension of cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog
23:35 03.07.2025
Pope Leo can play important role in improving US-North Korea ties, says Cardinal Lazzaro You
23:00 03.07.2025
UN rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territory says accountability needed over killings of aid-seekers in Gaza
22:35 03.07.2025
Gaza ceasefire proposal calls for release of 10 Israeli hostages, includes US assurances to end war Report
22:00 03.07.2025
Australian man dies from 'extremely rare' bat bite virus
21:30 03.07.2025
Armenia restarts constitutional reform talks
21:15 03.07.2025
Azerbaijani wrestler crowned European champion
21:00 03.07.2025
Azerbaijani boxer qualifies for World Cup semifinals
20:30 03.07.2025
Liverpool rejects Bayern Munich's approach for Diaz
20:00 03.07.2025
President Ilham Aliyev inspected site designated for Khankandi-Shusha cable car construction
19:35 03.07.2025
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan review operations of Businesstex JV sewing factory in Khankandi
19:20 03.07.2025
Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan to attend 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi
19:15 03.07.2025
Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif begins visit to Azerbaijan
19:00 03.07.2025
Cyberattacks on Azerbaijani state bodies slightly rising
18:45 03.07.2025
Height of the Victory Arch in Khankandi to be 44 meters
18:15 03.07.2025
Nigerian minister to attend 17th ECO Summit in Khankandi
18:00 03.07.2025
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives in Fuzuli district
17:45 03.07.2025
Opening ceremony of Khankandi Congress Center held
17:30 03.07.2025
China ready to sign nuclear-weapon-free zone treaty
17:15 03.07.2025
President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus arrives in Fuzuli district
17:00 03.07.2025
President Ilham Aliyev attends opening of Khankandi Business Center
16:45 03.07.2025
Turkish president to visit Khankandi on July 4
16:30 03.07.2025
Iran calls negotiations with European countries 'meaningless'
16:15 03.07.2025
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev receives Deputy Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Cabinet of Ministers in Khankandi
16:00 03.07.2025
Scorching European heatwave turns deadly in Spain, Italy and France
15:45 03.07.2025
National Defense University hosts training as part of NATO programme
15:30 03.07.2025
3 killed, 16 injured in mass shooting at Chicago nightclub
15:20 03.07.2025
China is not US, and challenges to Europe won’t come from Beijing: Top diplomat
15:15 03.07.2025
Russia restricts access to Azerbaijani news websites
15:00 03.07.2025
2 killed, 11 injured in Russian strikes in Ukraine's Poltava
14:45 03.07.2025
Trump may arm Israel with US B-2s, bunker busters
14:30 03.07.2025
Foundation stone laid for Khankandi Railway and Bus Terminal Complex
14:20 03.07.2025
Baku, Kabul mull development of Lapis Lazuli corridor
14:15 03.07.2025
Azerbaijani deputy FM mulls areas of cooperation with Afghan counterpart
14:00 03.07.2025
Israeli president receives new ambassador to Azerbaijan
13:50 03.07.2025
5US lifts chip software curbs on China amid trade truce
13:45 03.07.2025
Tajikistan and Saudi Fund for Development set to expand project financing
13:30 03.07.2025
S. Korean President vows to improve relations with N. Korea based on cooperation with US
13:10 03.07.2025
Politico: Ukraine expects Europe to buy weapons for it from US
13:00 03.07.2025
State Department: Bringing Russia-Ukraine war to end remains Trump's priority
12:45 03.07.2025
Hamısı