The French Republic
Bilateral diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the French Republic
The French Republic recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the 3rd of January 1992. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on the 21st of February 1992.
The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the French Republic was opened on the 20th of October 1994.
The Embassy of the French Republic in the Republic of Azerbaijan was opened on the 16th of March 1992.
Co-operation between Azerbaijan and France in the political, economic, cultural and educational areas has developed at a high level.
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, paid an official visit to France on 12-15 March 2017 and 19-20 July 2018.
The First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, visited France on the 18th of May 2018 and 11-12 March 2019.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, visited France on the following dates: 16-17 January 2018; 15 May 2018, 15-16 January 2019 and 16-18 May 2019.
The Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Jean-Yves Le Drian, paid a visit to Azerbaijan on the 27th of May 2018
Inter-parliamentary relations
The Working Group for Azerbaijani-French Inter-Parliamentary relations operates in the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The group is chaired by Soltan Mammadov.
There is a French-Caucasian (Azerbaijan, Georgia) Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Senate of the French Republic. The head of the group (including Azerbaijan) is Mr Alain Uper.
There is a French-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship group in the National Assembly of the French Republic, which is headed by Pierre-Alain Raphan.
Contractual and legal framework
In total, fifty-three documents were signed between Azerbaijan and France.
Economic co-operation
Economic relations between France and Azerbaijan have developed in recent years. The first satellite of Azerbaijan – Azerspace 1 - was launched in South America in February 2013 from the French-administered Kourou Spaceport in the Guiana Space Center in Kourou (French Guiana) with a tricolour Azerbaijani flag on the “Ariane-5” carrier rocket.
In September 2018, Azerspace-2 satellite was launched from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana. This was possible due to the close partnership between the two countries in the field of high space technology.
The French MEDEF-International Union (MEDEF) plays an important role in the investment of French companies in Azerbaijan.
Trade turnover between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the French Republic (In thousands U.S. dollars)
|
Years |
Imports |
Exports |
Trade turnover |
|
2016 |
150 410,87 |
493 644,17 |
644 055,04 |
|
2017 |
154 722,05 |
337 371,06 |
492 093,11 |
|
2018 |
183 050,05 |
441 672.09 |
624 722,14 |
|
2019 |
250 727,29 |
536 639,27 |
787 366,56 |
|
2020 |
448 192,66 |
110 662,51 |
558 855,17 |
Source: The State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijan-France Economic Commission was established in December 1997, and so far, the commission has held eight meetings in total. At the same time, the Azerbaijan-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 2014 to serve the Azerbaijani-French business forums
Diplomatic mission
Address of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the French Republic:
78, avenue d’lena, 75116 Paris
Website: www.paris.mfa.gov.az