Azerbaijan

Political relations

Presidents Heydar Aliyev (1993-2003) and Ilham Aliyev (2003-present) both chose France for their first official visits abroad.  

The bilateral relationship between France and Azerbaijan deteriorated due to military operations launched by Azerbaijan (Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, and offensive taking back control of the region in September 2023) and the clear position of the French authorities against the use of force.

Azerbaijan chose to ignite an unprecedented crisis in its bilateral relations with France after taking full control of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, with the arbitrary detention of French nationals, pressure on France’s diplomacy and cooperation system, initiatives directed against France’s territorial integrity and attempts at interference in overseas departments, regions and communities, particularly New Caledonia, through information operations including two blatant campaigns originating in Azerbaijan, in particular targeting the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the situation in New Caledonia.

France reinitiated diplomatic dialogue with Azerbaijan in January 2025, through which a shared desire was affirmed, at the highest level, to reengage and restore normal relations. The two Heads of State expressed this desire during their meeting on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen on 2 October 2025.

Economic relations

Trade relations between France and Azerbaijan have historically centred on major contracts, particularly in aerospace, and French purchases of Azerbaijani oil. French exports to Azerbaijan increased significantly in 2025 to €311.2 million. This rise was largely driven by sales of transport equipment after a falloff in 2024 (€149.1 million in 2025 compared to €6.5 million the previous year). Chemical products, fragrances and cosmetics (€71.5 million, down 1.8% year-on-year) were the second-largest French export category in 2025, followed by industrial and agricultural machinery (€19.7 million, down 19.9% year-on-year), pharmaceutical products (€13.6 million, down 3% year-on-year) and agrifood products (€12.8 million, down 9.7% year-on-year).

French imports from Azerbaijan, consisting almost entirely of crude oil (98%), decreased in 2023 to €230 million.

French foreign direct investment stock in Azerbaijan amounted to €1.3 million in 2022, and largely concerns TotalEnergies’ investments in the country. Azerbaijani investments in France are primarily made by the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ).