Valentina Chabert: France's actions negatively affect EU's peace efforts

France's actions could undermine European Union's efforts in the peace process in the South Caucasus, where Brussels is seeking to establish itself as a trusted mediator, Italian analyst, Doctor of Philosophy in the field of international law at the Sapienza University of Rome, Valentina Chabert, told Report.

The expert noted that the agreements recently signed between France and Armenia in the field of military cooperation caused a negative reaction from Azerbaijan.

She said the transfer of military equipment from France to Armenia was negatively perceived by Azerbaijan, since peace in the South Caucasus region has still not been achieved.

In general, individual countries acting independently in their own national interests and not adhering to the broad European approach to strengthening peace and dialogue between previously conflicting countries in South Caucasus, lead to fragmentation of the European approach itself, Chabert said.

According to her, the recent comment by Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli regarding the US-EU-Armenia meeting in Brussels on April 5, and his call on French diplomats not to undermine the efforts of other European actors to achieve lasting peace in the South Caucasus region, reflects Italy's position on the issue of normalization between Baku and Yerevan.