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France does not remain indifferent to the fate of the activists arrested in Azerbaijan; these issues are constantly raised in the course of political contacts between the two leaders. According to the Azerbaijani news agency Turan, the Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan, Pascal Meunier, said this answering the question what the attitude of Paris is to the problem of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, and in particular, to the arrests of the Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor of human rights activist Leyla Yunus and journalist Khadija Ismayilova.

"Approximately a year ago these people (Yunus and Ismayilova) were among the guests at this Embassy for a meeting with French President Francois Hollande," the Ambassador told the journalists on May 27.

According to him, the French side raises these questions during high level direct negotiations, and considers it more effective than public statements. "Azerbaijan holds various events and wants to attract attention. I suppose it is done in order to improve the country's image. Those who want to draw attention, have to try to be better in every respect. I believe that the government hears our remarks," the Ambassador said.

Turan also notes that, according to the Ambassador, despite the expansion of relations between France and Azerbaijan, the potential of cooperation is not fully used. In particular, Meunier considers agriculture to be such sphere. However, in his opinion, the French cheese or wine are still poorly presented in the Azerbaijani market. When asked how customs restrictions prevent that, the Ambassador answered that the need of simplification of customs procedures was emphasized at the recent forum of Asian Development Bank.

It is noted in the article that the Ambassador also pointed to the factors hampering the tourism industry, noting that tourism in Azerbaijan is very complicated and expensive. "So, only the ticket from Baku to Paris costs 500 manats. With this sum, the French tourists can make a week-long tour to Portugal, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, and stay in a three-star hotel,” he said.

Another problem, according to the Ambassador, still remains the procedure of obtaining Azerbaijani visas. "The procedure lasts two to three weeks. In addition, tourists who came to Azerbaijan and have forgotten to register are fined 300 euros on departure," Meunier declared.

Azerbaijani news portal Haqqin.az adds that according to the Ambassador, mass migration can occur because of the global drought. "This could change the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Even the Caspian Sea may be affected by the climate change – most of it can dry out as a result of the drought," Meunier said.

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