France says will seek UN Security Council resolution on Karabakh

PanARMENIAN.Net - France will demand the adoption by the UN Security Council of a resolution that will create conditions for the return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna told the French Senate on Wednesday, October 11, Sputnik Armenia reports.

Said conditions must include firm guarantees for the observance of the rights of the Armenians of Karabakh, including historical and cultural ones, Colonna said, which requires a permanent international presence on the ground, and the goal of all French efforts is to achieve that.

“Everyone understands the severity of the crisis in the Middle East, but we also need to look at the situation in the South Caucasus, in particular in Armenia. No matter how it (Azerbaijan - Ed.) tries to present the situation, it must be stated: yes, Azerbaijan planned and organized the exodus of more than 100 thousands of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. This is an extremely serious crime, which cannot but be followed by a reaction," the minister said.

According to the minister, solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan can only be found through negotiations, and peace must be fair and long-term, she added.

For this reason, she added, France supports the mediation efforts of the European Union and demands that no concessions be made on the issue of compliance with international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia.

It is necessary to give Azerbaijan a signal that it should not follow the path of using force, and these signals are being given, the Minister said.

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which left hundreds of Armenians killed and thousands of others displaced. On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire on Azerbaijan’s terms, including the dissolution of the Defense Army. On September 18, President of the Republic of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree, according to which the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) will cease to exist by January 1, 2024. Over 100,000 displaced residents have already fled Nagorno-Karabakh and reached Armenia.