Azerbaijani MFA: A new phase begins in relations between Baku and Paris

The meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and French President Emmanuel Macron in Copenhagen, followed by ongoing political contacts, has marked the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations, the head of the press service of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aykhan Hajizada, told Report.

Hajizada recalled that since the early years of independence, Azerbaijan has sought to build relations with France based on mutual respect: “In 1993, national leader Heydar Aliyev paid his first official foreign visit to France, and in 2003, after being elected president, Ilham Aliyev also made his first official trip to Paris.”

He noted that sustained political dialogue over the years contributed to expanding cooperation in economic and humanitarian fields.

“At the same time, France’s actions during and after the 44-day war seriously damaged bilateral ties. Nevertheless, the presidents’ meeting in Copenhagen provided a useful opportunity to discuss differences and has effectively opened a new stage in relations,” Hajizada said.