Panic in Armenia: Does Paris want to put up with Baku?

There is panic in Armenia. The appearance of French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Boyon on the Alley of Martyrs on January 20 caused great concern in the propaganda circles of the neighboring country. Armenia is so accustomed to considering France as "its own" that any deviations from these ideas cause alarm and discontent.

So, Madame Boyon visited the Alley of Martyrs and laid flowers at the graves of the victims of Black January. And what especially scared the Armenian side was making a note about it on social media.

"On this day of mourning, the 35th anniversary of the Black January tragedy, we, together with our European colleagues, mourn the memory of the victims of the January 1990 events," the French diplomat wrote.

Why didn't she refuse to join the diplomats of other countries? - they are worried in Armenia. This concern is related not so much to the French ambassador's visit to the Alley of Martyrs, but rather to the fact that the Armenian agitprop sees this step as a link to recent statements by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.  

Recall that in an interview with local TV channels, the head of state revealed some interesting facts.

"I'll tell you one more thing, which, in principle, we never talked about, but I think it will still help to somehow get out of the crisis. Over the past few months, we have received signals from representatives of the French government to establish contacts - there have been three or four such contacts in my memory - from different personalities to our various representatives, and the answer has always been: "We are ready." Yes, we are ready today, but we will not go anywhere - neither to Paris, nor to Brussels. If you need to meet with us, you can meet here, in Baku. Every time at some stage, then again there is a vacuum, silence. Now, recently, another such diplomatic dispatch, let's say a verbal one, was received: to talk again, to discuss. Again, we are ready, we have nothing to share with them, we have no complaints about this country. The main thing is not to be touched or interfered with in our affairs, and not to interfere in the affairs of the South Caucasus," the head of state said.

Armenian "analysts" associate Boillon's appearance on the Alley of Martyrs with these statements, considering the diplomat's behavior to be one of the manifestations of Paris' attempt to mend incredibly damaged relations with Baku. The Armenians have made a lot of efforts to destroy these relations, and therefore the neighbors are very worried about the possibility that Paris will suddenly decide to replay everything.

The claims against the French ambassador are that she visited the Alley despite criticism from Baku against President Macron and his policies and the fact that Azerbaijan, they say, "pokes its nose into relations between France and Armenia."

"This is simply unthinkable! And against the background of all this, we see such a shocking step on the part of Anne Boyon. I would like to be wrong, but it is possible that her behavior is explained by the fact that behind the scenes in Paris they are trying to negotiate something with Baku," one of the Armenian media writes.

In addition, Boyon is accused of showing "disrespect for the memory of the victims of the Armenian pogroms." But this is more like pedaling emotions than a serious argument. And the main reason for dissatisfaction with the behavior of the French diplomat is the fear of Paris' desire to start correcting the situation in relations with Azerbaijan, since even a hint of a change in France's position deprives them of the illusion of support. The Armenian side fears that the loss of a key ally will further emphasize its weakness, leaving them alone with the reality that it has no influence in the region.