Instead of sanctions Europe is buying gas and oil from Azerbaijan:French Senators vow to voice about Armenia’s situation

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The France-Armenia Friendship Group of the French Senate will present the current difficult situation of Armenia and the aggressive policy of Azerbaijan to the international community. According to French Senators, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict greatly impacts the geopolitics of the Caucasian region, but they add that Armenia should not be affected from this war.

Speaking to ARMENPRESS, members of the France-Armenia Friendship Group, who are in Yerevan these days, presented how the French Senate could help Armenia, what is their position on the latest escalation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and what kind of support Armenia could expect from France.

France-Armenia Friendship Group Chairman Gilbert-Luc Devinaz said they have arrived in Yerevan to express their solidarity with Armenia. The delegation includes Senators Brigitte Devésa (Bouches-du-Rhône), Pierre Ouzoulias(Hauts-de-Seine) and Étienne Blanc(Rhône).

The visit of the Friendship Group to Armenia was aimed at getting acquainted with the activities of French local self-government bodies, French associations and foundations in Armenia. But, as Gilbert-Luc Devinaz says, when Azerbaijan attacked Armenia, their visit was already under question, but after consulting with the French Ambassador to Armenia, they decided not to cancel this visit but made some changes in the program.

“Since morning of September 27, we have had meetings with the authorities of Armenia, we met with Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan, President Vahagn Khachaturyan. Meetings are expected also with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Mayor of Yerevan Hrachya Sargsyan [interview was conducted before these meetings]”, he said.

Asked what is the position of France and what concrete steps should be taken to stop Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia, the French Senator said that on September 26 French President Emmanuel Macron, during the meeting with Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has reaffirmed the position of France in observing the ceasefire and keeping the borders, stating that the Azerbaijani forces must return to their initial positions as set by the 2020 November 9 agreement. The French President has clearly mentioned the name of the aggressor which is Azerbaijan.

“In his remarks President Macron named the aggressor which has not been done before. And the Armenian PM recalled that by saying borders we understand the internationally recognized borders after the collapse of the Soviet Union. And as you know, France and the United States operate in the international platform. During our visit in May the Armenian authorities were talking about the OSCE Minsk Group, stating that it should be re-launched. Today Russia has backed down, and it remains for France, US and perhaps Germany to again find in that structure ways for peace. There is also one more border problem, Azerbaijan is urged to return to the initial positions as agreed on November 9, 2020, which is not being done. The French President proposes to deploy a peacekeeping force on the border by the UN or other structure, but it is currently being rejected by Russia”, he said.

They said as Senators they are concerned for Armenia. The Senator says that Armenia and the sovereign Republic of Artsakh are two examples of democracy, and Turkey and Azerbaijan are authoritarian regimes that harm these two democracies. “And if we allow it today, the other democratic regimes of Eastern Europe will have difficulties tomorrow”, Gilbert-Luc Devinaz said.

Senator Étienne Blancmade three observations over the issue: “The first one is that during the visit we managed to get acquainted with the power of the only democracy in the region – the democracy of Armenia which is living in these difficult diplomatic, military and political conditions. And we, as bearers of a very old tradition of protection of fundamental freedoms, are really impressed by what Armenia is doing today in these difficult conditions which it faces.

Secondly, a few weeks ago the President of the European Commission announced an agreement between Azerbaijan and Europe. Many Senators condemned that agreement, stating that the supply of gas or oil could weaken the position of Europe, France in supporting Armenia.

And thirdly, under the influence of the Ukraine war we re-find the indirect consequences that this war could have on the defense of Armenia. And if we are here, it means we don’t want Armenia to be a tool for the Russian-Turkish diplomacy which could sign agreements behind Armenia’s back. And this is something that is very important to us. The Ukraine war has a great impact on the geopolitics of this region, and our visit here means that Armenia must not be affected as a result of this war”, he said.

Senator Pierre Ouzouliasalso called Europe a hypocrite as, he said, it continues buying a Russian gas through Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan is supplying additional oil to Europe through the gas pipeline stretching to the Turkish port in the Mediterranean Sea, and we know that a part of this oil comes from Russia. Europe once again forgets about its moral principles to take care of its oil needs. And today Europe has finally accepted the fact that Armenia is ceding a part of its territorial integrity. And Armenia is forced to negotiate with Azerbaijan arounda corridor connecting Nakhijevan with Azerbaijan. And our role is to present all this to the European community”, Pierre Ouzouliassaid.

As for the possible sanctions on Azerbaijan, Gilbert-Luc Devinaz said that instead of sanctions Europe is buying gas and oil from Azerbaijan which is coming from Russia.

“Today there are no sanctions, quite the contrary, Europe is buying gas and oil from Azerbaijan which is coming from Russia. I think there are two issues for France: it is an EU member where not all states share the position relating to Armenia”, he said, adding that the important here is by whom the states are governed.

The Senator also highlighted the inter-parliamentary cooperation between Armenia and France.

“We are always in touch with Chairman of the Armenia-France Friendship Group Vladimir Vardanyan. These exchanges are important in a sense that for example in France they are talking a lot about Ukraine, and we are concerned that the issue of Armenia remains under shadow. And as Étienne Blancsaid he will share this information with his party colleagues after returning to France. And we are going to do the same.

Thus, it’s very important to talk about what is happening in Armenia. And we must not forget about the Armenian Diaspora in France. Connection with the Diaspora must be maintained because it is connected with Armenia as a homeland, for which Armenia is a state with its geopolitical difficulties. Therefore, we pay great attention to the cooperation in education sector, because the education of youth in Armenia is important for us. We also attach importance to the presence of the French University in Armenia which is preparing new French-speaking cadres”, Gilbert-Luc Devinaz said.

And asked how the Senate could help Armenia, Senator Brigitte Devésa said their role is also to be consistent with the implementation of decentralized cooperation programs which boost the development of provinces.

“In my province I will present the importance of the decentralized cooperation because with this activity we could support Armenia. We are fully mobilized over the situation faced by Armenia, and you can rely on our support inany case”, Brigitte Devésa said.

Interview by Karen Khachatryan

Photos by Hayk Manukyan