Azerbaijan rules out France's role in dialogue with Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan has ruled out France’s role in contributing to dialogue between Baku and Yerevan, one day after French President Emmanuel Macron urged the parties to return to the positions they held before the current surge in tensions, adding that “France is ready to help with discussions.”

On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province). One Armenian serviceman was killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting on May 25, while six others were captured on May 27.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva maintained on Wednesday, June 2 that the ceasefire is being respected in the region, based on a joint statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia on November 10, 2020.

"Russian troops are carrying out a peacekeeping mission to ensure the ceasefire. We do not see any role for France in the matter,” she said, according to local media reports.

Commenting on a proposed direct dialogue referred to in Macron’s speech, Abdullayeva said that it is already taking place, citing a trilateral commission co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia: "France has no role in this process."

However, acting Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan said Tuesday that contacts on the unblocking of transport communications in the region have recently been suspended.