Interview with Madam Sophie Lagoutte, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Azerbaijan, for APA
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Emmanuel Macron have set a positive trend between France and Azerbaijan
– Madam Ambassador, on October 16, when you presented your credentials to President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani head of state recalled his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Copenhagen, noting that as a result of that meeting, the issues that had caused misunderstandings between our countries had been left in the past. We would be interested to hear your perspective: how do you assess the current state of relations between the two countries?
– Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Emmanuel Macron have indeed set a positive trend between France and Azerbaijan. In the past weeks, my conversations with various Azerbaijani partners have confirmed a shared determination to strengthen ties and to discuss concrete steps in that direction.
Despite challenging times, we have always maintained a high level of dialogue and active cooperation, whether in the education or the economy fields. This new promising trend paves the way to relaunching various cooperation programs and exploring new partnerships. This is the roadmap that lies before me, and I am looking forward to implementing it with my Azerbaijani partners.
Both countries have clearly expressed the desire for stronger cooperation
– What priorities has been set by France to restore relations with Azerbaijan to their previous level and to strengthen bilateral ties?
– Our two countries have clearly expressed the same desire for stronger cooperation, which can build on a long history of developing ties in many sectors.
As the French-Azerbaijani university will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026, we would like to enhance our partnership on education in order to provide the youth of Azerbaijan with more opportunities to study in France or learn the French language at the French institute or in local schools and universities.
We are also looking at ways to develop economic relationship and mutual investment. Energy and transport are key areas in terms of connectivity where we have been investing for a long time. Supporting the green transition, in particular thanks to renewable energies and sustainable urban development, the modernization of the agrobusiness sector and the growth potential of tourism also provide interesting prospects to strengthen bilateral ties as well as Azerbaijan's efforts in terms of economic diversification.
We should also renew our security cooperation to better prevent global threats such as terrorism or drug trafficking and to foster peace and stability in the region.
France has continuously and fully supported the peace process and the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan
– How does France view the ongoing negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia?
– France has continuously and fully supported the peace process and the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan, which was given a decisive impulse in Washington on August 8th. The mutual recognition of territorial sovereignty, based on the Almaty declaration of 1991, is a key point that France has always put forward.
The peace negotiations have already materialized in concrete actions that will directly benefit both countries, such as the lifting of restrictions on grain transport to Armenia through Azerbaijan.
We hope that the signing of the peace treaty will conclude this positive process as soon as possible and allow for the deepening of regional cooperation and connectivity through the opening of borders.
“Trump Route” answers both Azerbaijan’s and Armenia’s interests.
– What are your thoughts on the significance of the “Trump Route”?
– The “TRIPP” project has the potential to play a crucial role in the development of connectivity in the Caucasus, and to answer both Azerbaijan’s and Armenia’s interests.
It is also in our interest to open an additional route between Europe and Asia from which all can benefit. Together with the European Union, we are ready to support this connectivity agenda linking the “TRIPP” to the wider region. The finalization of the details of the project will soon allow for such cooperation.
– In the context of the normalization of Azerbaijan–Armenia relations, what changes can we expect to see in France’s policy towards the South Caucasus?
- The progress in the peace process is opening new potential for regional stabilization and cooperation. We want to seize the momentum to consolidate this positive trend and to help provide concrete benefits to the peoples of the South Caucasus.
High-level discussions between Baku and Yerevan are now frequent and delivering results
– Speaking of the normalization process, the OSCE Minsk process structures will be dissolved by December 1. Considering that France has been one of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, it would be interesting to know the official position of Paris on the termination of the Minsk process.
– After the Washington summit of August 8th which initialed the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, we immediately endorsed the decision to put an end to the Minsk Group activities.
The goal of international mediation efforts is always to bring parties in direct contact, and we are pleased to see that high-level discussions between Baku and Yerevan are now frequent and delivering results.
We will continue to support this process as a partner in pursuing the regional peace agenda.
French companies have been active in Azerbaijan for a long time
– Madam Ambassador, during the presentation of your credentials to the President of Azerbaijan, the organization of reciprocal visits by business delegations and the participation of French companies in various projects were also discussed. Have any French companies put forward proposals to take part in the reconstruction process in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories?
– French companies have been active in Azerbaijan for a long time, including on strategic sectors like oil and gas, aviation, space and rail transport. The stabilization of the region and connectivity challenges are sparking interest for French companies, many of which have a lot of expertise that can be of use to Azerbaijan. When the conditions are met, I hope to encourage business delegations to come to Azerbaijan and to explore mutual investment opportunities.
France has had fruitful cooperation with Azerbaijan in the demining process
– Does France continue to support Azerbaijan in the demining process?
France has had a fruitful cooperation with Azerbaijan in the demining process and has always expressed its readiness to bring support in this area, if our Azerbaijani partners require such support.
– Has the tension in relations had any impact on the volume of France’s direct investment in Azerbaijan?
- As I mentioned earlier, French companies are long-standing and reliable partners of Azerbaijan, where they have really invested, instead of simply signing commercial contracts for equipment supply. They have established a permanent presence in the country to remain close to their clients' needs and are investing in human capital, too, particularly by implementing scholarship programs and training for high-level engineers and technicians.
Consequently, French companies have chosen to continue supporting Azerbaijan in its strategic priorities to foster the country's economic development. They have therefore focused on implementing structured projects, whether it be the utilization of energy resources, the diversification of growth drivers, or the modernization of infrastructure.
The European Union is a strategic partner in the stabilization of the region, and in terms of connectivity
– As one of the leading states of the European Union, what contribution can France make to strengthening Azerbaijan-EU relations, including the prompt conclusion of negotiations on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU?
– We support the strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, which are already very developed in many sectors. I personally took part in two recent European events, “Taste of Europe” and “Study in Europe”, which were met with much enthusiasm from the Azerbaijani public, especially among the youth.
The European Union is a strategic partner in the stabilization of the region and in terms of connectivity. I hope that this ambition will materialize in concrete projects and opportunities.
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