Relations between the two countries were strained in recent weeks following the approval by the French Parliament of a law criminalising the denial of the "Armenian Genocide." In his meeting with the French Minister Aliev said that he hoped the law will be annulled by the French Constitutional Court.
19 February: French President Nikolas Sarkozy has sent a personal message to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev. The letter was delived by the special envoy of the President and Minister of Transport Thierry Mariani (APA)