France: Armenia, Azerbaijan must launch talks on Karabakh status

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yerevan and Baku must resume negotiations to determine the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement on Tuesday, November 10.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev have signed a deal to end the war in Karabakh. Karabakh (Artsakh) President Arayik Harutyunyan said on Tuesday that he has agreed to the deal signed by Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

Le Drian said an end to the fighting is essential, and that the co-chairmanship of the Minsk Group will remain mobilized.

"We therefore expect that the commitments made by Azerbaijan are strictly observed and that its offensive ceases immediately. In this context, we ask Turkey to do nothing that goes against this priority objective," the French foreign policy chief said.

"In these difficult times, France reaffirms its full friendship with the Armenian people, given the close human, cultural and historical ties that bind us together. We are by its side."

Le Drian vowed that France will provide Armenia with all the humanitarian support it needs. He said the situation on the ground, with displaced populations and fighting in urban centers, has indeed had significant humanitarian consequences. France mobilized in recent weeks by contributing to the humanitarian efforts with medical aid and sending teams of surgeons. Le Drian revealed that more initiatives will be taken in the coming days to provide Armenia with the assistance it needs.

"Finally, the relaunch of negotiations between the parties on a lasting settlement of the conflict remains necessary, in addition to the ceasefire agreement. France will play its role in the framework of the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group. Discussions between the two parties must resume without delay. They should in particular allow the return of people displaced in the conflict in recent weeks and the determination of the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh.," Le Drian added.