On April 28, the joint press conference of the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Catherine Colonna and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan was held at the Foreign Ministry. Catherine Colonna arrived in Yerevan from Baku on a regional visit.
Mirzoyan said that he emphasized the imperative of sending a mission of international humanitarian organizations to the Lachin corridor in Nagorno-Karabakh, to ensure unimpeded access. Catherine Colonna said: “Naturally, the main issue we discussed is the peace negotiations with Azerbaijan and the continuation of reforms. It is an honor for France to be among the countries that stand by you to support you in this field of challenges.
France fully supports the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the EU and the United Nations. We all know that the road to peace is difficult and often long. I also said in Baku that this is the only way to create new perspectives for the future and people of both countries, for a just and sustainable peace.
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Catherine Colonna also spoke about the importance of demarcation. “Respect for territorial integrity also means refraining from any forceful actions. I said it in Baku; I repeat it here, reprimanding the advance of the Azerbaijani forces, we cannot allow the disrespect or dishonor, of the territorial integrity of a country. I would say that if you violated the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
We cannot accept the unilateral steps taken by Azerbaijan.” She noted that setting up a checkpoint in the Lachin Corridor contradicts the ceasefire agreement between the two countries: “If Azerbaijan has a transparency problem, there are several other ways to approach the issue, not with unilateral steps.”
She called for the opening of the Lachin corridor based on the International Court’s decision. “The population of Nagorno-Karabakh should be able to continue living in peace.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
