They must allow for the return of people displaced by the conflict in recent weeks, and for the definition of the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh, as the statement by Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs says.
“Announcements were made last night by Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Russian authorities regarding the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in Nagorno-Karabakh. We have taken note of the agreement and are examining its terms and implications. Clarifications are expected in order to assess their impact.
The cessation of fighting is crucial. The parties had made this commitment several times over the last few weeks and we have been, and remain, strongly committed to this priority within the framework of the co-chairmanship of the Minsk Group. We therefore expect Azerbaijan to strictly uphold the commitments that it has made and to put an immediate end to its offensive. In this context, we call on Turkey not to do anything that goes against this key priority.
At this difficult time, France reaffirms its wholehearted friendship with the Armenian people in light of our close human, cultural and historic ties with Armenia. In these tragic circumstances, we stand alongside it. In particular, we will work to lend it all the humanitarian support it needs. Indeed, the situation on the ground, with displaced populations and fighting in urban centers, has resulted in serious humanitarian consequences.
France has mobilized its efforts in recent weeks through a very large number of civil society initiatives. The French authorities are contributing to these initiatives, providing medical assistance, which arrived late last week in Yerevan and included teams of surgeons specialized in treating conflict victims. Other initiatives will be taken in the coming days to provide Armenia with the help it will need.
Finally, the resumption of negotiations between the parties on a lasting settlement of the conflict remains necessary, beyond the ceasefire announced yesterday. As co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, France will be an active participant in this effort. Discussions between the two parties must resume without delay. They must allow for the return of people displaced by the conflict in recent weeks, and for the definition of the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh.”
Besides the statement by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France in Armenia has also disseminated the press release by the Elysee Palace, which says that France is currently analyzing the terms provided for in the agreement, and will actively pursue consultations with Russia to reach a lasting political solution that preserves and respects Armenia's interests. The press release says, “France is currently analyzing the terms provided for in the agreement, and will actively pursue consultations with Russia to reach a lasting political solution that preserves and respects Armenia's interests. The President of the Republic will also meet very soon with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders.
France strongly calls on Turkey to end its provocations over Nagorno-Karabakh, to show restraint and to do nothing that undermines the possibility of a lasting agreement being negotiated between the parties and within the framework of the Minsk Group .
In the immediate future, the priority must remain a lasting end to the fighting and respect for the ceasefire. France has been strongly mobilized in this direction for several weeks.
A medical mission arrived last Saturday in Yerevan at the request of the President of the Republic. It is made up of a team of surgeons and medical equipment. A coordination meeting will take place at the Elysee Palace on Thursday between public and private operators, in order to respond as closely as possible to the needs and victims of the conflict and to the Armenian population as a whole.”
November 11, 2020 at 19:35