The Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) has published a book titled “France’s Role in the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict: Historical Perspectives and Modern Dynamics.” https://aircenter.az/uploads/DAxfXruN3psV.pdf 

Initiated by the AIR Center and prepared in collaboration with analysts from France, the book provides a detailed analysis of the evolving dynamics in French-Azerbaijani relations.

The book offers a comprehensive, academically grounded Azerbaijani perspective on the reasons why France, despite its official obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and former co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, has failed to act as a neutral and constructive mediator.

In the foreword to the book, Chairman of the Board of the AIR Center, Ambassador Farid Shafiyev notes that after the restoration of independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has consistently regarded France as an important partner in Europe – politically, economically, and culturally. The significance of this relationship was underscored by the fact that, after assuming office, both President Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev made their first official overseas visits to Paris.  Farid Shafiyev underlines that despite these solid foundations, the French administrations allowed domestic political considerations – particularly the lobbying efforts of influential Armenian diaspora groups—to overshadow their commitment to impartial diplomacy. After the Second Karabakh War, instead of contributing to sustainable peace in the region, France adopted a more open pro-Armenian position and deepened its military support to Armenia. 

“It is our hope that France – guided by its values and its longstanding interests in the region – will re-evaluate its policies and resume a balanced and constructive role. We believe that the future of Franco-Azerbaijani relations still holds immense potential, not only in the economic and cultural spheres, but also in contributing to the new architecture of peace and cooperation in our region.”

The book, edited by Vasif Huseynov, AIR Center’s Head of Department, consists of 5 sections.

The Sections titled “An Historical Overview: Participation of France in the Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict Before the Second Karabakh War” and “The Post-2020 Transformation: New Dynamics in France’s Armenia–Azerbaijan Policy” are authored by AIR Center’s leading advisor Sultan Zahidov, “Franco-Azerbaijani Bilateral Relations in Light of The Second Karabakh War” has been written by Jean-Emmanuel Medina a Doctor of International Law and International Relations, a lawyer at the Strasbourg Bar, and co-founder of the Institute of Cultural Studies. “Baku–Paris–Yerevan: Reason and Emotion in the South Caucasus” has been written by Gil Mihaely, the Director of “Conflicts” magazine. The French Policy on the Armenian–Azerbaijani Conflict (1991–2025) has been written by Christian Vallar, Professor of Public Law and Honorary Dean at the Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Nice Côte d’Azur.

The purpose of writing the book is to contribute to informative and open discussions that can promote mutual understanding and more responsible diplomacy in the years to come.