The Relations between Armenia and France date back to the 12th century, during the reign of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia on September 21, 1991. Bilateral relations and continues until today. These centuries-old ties between Armenia and France have become increasingly stronger over the past quarter century.
The Official diplomatic relations between Armenia and France started on February 24, 1992. Relations between the two countries are based on cooperation in diplomacy, culture and military fields. The bond between the two countries is supported by the Armenian community in France, the largest in Europe with more than half a million French-Armenian citizens. So that 2006 was declared the “Year of Armenia” in France. France has the third largest Armenian diaspora in the world, after Russia and the United States, and by far the largest in the European Union. The French diaspora in Armenia also strengthens the cultural ties between the two countries.
The foundation of the France-Armenia partnership is strengthened by common values such as solidarity and democracy. Historically, high-level political dialogues between the two countries have become a tradition. The political discourses of France and Armenia are strengthened through the parliaments of both countries and at the municipal level, close inter-parliamentary cooperation is facilitated, and the agenda of bilateral interstate relations of both France and Armenia is expanded day by day.
France supports Armenia’s participation in the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union and a significant role for Armenia in its relations with Europe. This partnership between the two countries aims to deepen the political dialogue between Armenia and the EU in the fields of human rights, democracy and law.
While France creates new opportunities for Armenia in the field of trade and investment, it also enables cooperation with Armenia in energy, transportation and environment issues. Bilateral relations between France and Armenia reveal the importance of international diplomacy for both countries. While both France and Armenia continue to actively increase political, economic and cultural cooperation, they also increase cooperation in the military field, and especially France supports Armenia with military equipment.
The Karabakh case is an case that many international countries, including France, follow closely and on which France has clearly made its stance clear. Karabakh is a region at the center of a long-standing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. France bases its stance on the Karabakh case on historical, political and strategic factors and advocates the recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide by supporting Armenia due to historical and cultural ties.
As the Karabakh conflict flared up in 2020, France gave open support to Armenia. The French President Emmanuel Macron, defended Armenia in the conflicts in Karabakh and supported international efforts to achieve a ceasefire. In its statements regarding the conflicts, France often emphasized Armenia’s rights instead of taking a neutral stance. While France supported Armenia in the Karabakh issue, it kept its relations with Azerbaijan tighter and more limited. France’s stance on the Karabakh case was not limited to just supporting Armenia, but it also took part in the mediation efforts of the Minsk Group, formed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, to resolve the conflict in the region.
France both supported Armenia diplomatically and provided military aid in the Karabakh conflict. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna went to Armenia after Azerbaijan regained control in Karabakh following the military operation last month, and after talks on security and defense issues, on October 3, 2023, Minister Colonna stated that Armenia is against Azerbaijan. he explained. explained. He announced that weapons would be sent to help them strengthen their defenses. [1]
Armenia announced that it would purchase three Ground Master 200 (GM200) radar systems from the French defense group Thales, out of concern that Azerbaijan might target the south of the country after capturing Karabakh. France, which has a large Armenian diaspora, supports Armenia rather than mediating in the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh.[2]
As a result, diplomatic relations between France and Armenia are generally based on positive and historical foundations. France’s attitude towards the Karabakh issue also reflects the country’s strategic interests and foreign policy objectives in the region.
[1] “France Agrees To Deliver Military Equipment To Armenia”, Le Monde, https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/03/france-agrees-to-deliver-military-equipment-to-armenia_6145986_4.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 29.10.2023).
[2] “France Announces Sale Of Defensive Weapons To Armenia As Turkey Plays Wargames With Azerbaijan”, RFI,https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20231025-france-announces-sale-of-defensive-weapons-to-armenia-as-turkey-plays-wargames-with-azerbaijan, (Erişim Tarihi: 29.10.2023).
