French newspaper: Karabakh - part of Azerbaijan despite separatist sentiments of Armenians

Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan from the viewpoint of international law despite the separatist sentiments of the Armenian population living in this region, Report informs referring to the French newspaper L’Opinion.

The newspaper notes that after the Second Karabakh War, according to the Armenian side, 120,000 people stayed in the “republic”, which was not recognized by the international community, although, according to Baku, there are half as many residents of the region. In addition, the Armenian military contingent of at least 10,000 people still remains here, which violates the terms of the November 20 tripartite agreement.

France and the EU, headed by President of the European Council Charles Michel, hope to mediate in the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, reads the article. However, from Baku’s point of view, France is too benevolent towards Armenia to be a credible “honest broker.”

In addition, the European Union deployed its mission on the border with Azerbaijan in Armenia, which French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna visited during her regional trip. Baku accuses Armenia of using the mission “as a shield to invade its territory.”

In general, the author sees the recognition of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over this territory in Colonna's statement about the need to ensure the rights of Armenians in Karabakh made during her regional trip. In addition, for Baku, the opening of communications under the agreement of 2020 means the creation of the Zangazur Corridor for a land connection with its Nakhchivan autonomy.