Azerbaijan Furious as France Sends 'Bastion' Tanks to Armenia

Tensions between Azerbaijan and France have heightened in the wake of the delivery of French Bastion armored vehicles to Armenia, drawing sharp criticism from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan. Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for the Azerbaijan MFA, expressed the country's dissatisfaction, raising concerns about the potential impact on regional stability.

Hajizada said that France's decision to supply armored vehicles to Armenia has raised serious questions about the commitment to respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international borders of countries in the region. He argued that these actions not only destabilize the situation but also undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at fostering regional harmony.

Accusing France of engaging in a "smearing campaign and destructive actions against Azerbaijan in the region," Hajizada voiced frustration over what he perceived as France's misguided interests in the area. He pointed to the potential implications of the deliveries on Armenia's militarization policy, calling for an immediate end to the armament and militarization approaches pursued by both Armenia and France.

"The steps taken by France, which contribute to Armenia's militarization policy, attest to France’s erroneous interests in the region,” asserted Hajizada.

In a resolute call to action, the Azerbaijan MFA spokesperson urged both Armenia and France to cease their current armament and militarization policies.

Meanwhile, a recent AP News report sheds light on the significant role Israel played in supplying Azerbaijan with nearly 70% of its arsenal between 2016 and 2020. This support reportedly provided Azerbaijan with a strategic advantage against Armenia, impacting the balance of power in the region. The report details the covert assistance provided by Israel to Azerbaijan just before its offensive on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), raising questions about Israel's national interests in the volatile region south of the Caucasus Mountains.

As of now, Yerevan has not officially disclosed details regarding the delivery of French defense equipment to Armenia.