In an escalating diplomatic tension in international relations, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has announced his country’s support for the independence movements in French territories like New Caledonia. Aliyev made this statement during a Media forum in Shusha, the newly liberated area of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia.
President Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to aiding these territories in their quest for sovereignty.
Aliyev said: “We will support you until you are free,” Aliyev speak to the forum, citing French territories that he said are still under colonialism.
“Some countries are still suffering from this. The Comoros islands, Mayotte are still under colonial rule. It has been our duty to help these countries liberate themselves from this revolting remnant from the past.”
Earlier this week, an “initiative group” organized a congress in Baku attended by pro-independence groups from New Caledonia and other French territories, including Corsica and Caribbean and Pacific islands. The participants of this congress sharply criticized French authorities, and an Azerbaijani delegation was invited to visit New Caledonia.
France accused Azerbaijan meddling and abetting unrest in New Caledonia by flooding social media with what it said were misleading photos and videos targeting French police.
Azerbaijan is trying to build its narrative in to local and international media against France due to Paris’s strong support for Armenia. Baku is trying to dimmish France influence into the South-Caucasus by alternately supporting various pressing issues for France.
The Azerbaijani leader’s pledge comes amid rising tensions between France and its overseas territories, where demands for greater autonomy and independence have been growing. This move by Azerbaijan could potentially setbacks the geopolitical impact, as it signals a willingness to support secessionist movements far beyond its borders that may backfires.
