Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

Another small French town, influenced by the Armenian lobby in France, signed a “declaration of friendship” with the illegal regime in Armenia-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

The delegation of the French town Decines-Charpieu led by Mayor Laurence Fautra illegally visited the town of Chartar in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and signed the “declaration of friendship” with the Azerbaijani town now occupied by Armenians.

Obviously, the French delegation was paid a good financial reward for this violation of international norms and law.

Baku has repeatedly warned foreign officials and diplomats of illegality of visits to its territories that are occupied by Armenia, calling them contradictory to international law. The country warned that such kind of steps may also result in criminal responsibility.

This is not the first time when some French officials act against the position of their government, which supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Two years ago, the mayor of a small French town of Villeurbanne mostly populated by Armenians received the head of the separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh Bako Sahakyan. At the meeting they signed an “agreement” between Villeurbanne and the Azerbaijani town of Shusha, which is still under Armenian occupation.

It is clear that all such visits and fake agreements are well paid by the Armenian Diaspora of France.

However, it is outrageous why the French government, the country that is involved in efforts to find a peaceful resolution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group, allows its low-level officials to violate international norms and commit such provocations against Azerbaijan.

Back in 2014 the French Foreign Ministry tried to smooth out an awkward situation, when Marlene Mourier, mayor of Bourg-les-Valence town, made an illegal visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and signed a “declaration of friendship” there. After that, the French Foreign Ministry made a special statement on support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

But still some French politicians risk reputation of Paris and dare to violate the international laws.

French officials should finally understand that they must stop making fake agreements with Armenians signed on behalf of the occupied Azerbaijani towns. This is an insult to the Azerbaijani refugees who had to leave their homes in the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia, and also obstacle to the process of a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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