France is calling for the resumption of political processes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but not under the threat of force or use thereof, French ambassador to Yerevan Jonathan Lacôte told a press conference on Wednesday, July 28.

In the wee hours of July 28, the units of the Azerbaijani armed forces, which had infiltrated the sovereign territory of Armenia since May 12, attacked the Armenian positions located in the north-eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, triggering local battles. Three Armenian troops were killed, three others were wounded in the process, the Defense Ministry said, adding that the Azerbaijani forces have been thwarted back to their positions.

Lacôte said he is well aware of the military hostilities that took place on the territory of Armenia on July 28, amid an escalation on the border between the two countries, Panorama.am reports.

The ambassador noted that France, the United States and Russia are communicating with each other within the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship to help calm the situation and restore political processes. According to him, France's chief concern is the situation on Armenia's border, as well as the return of all Armenian prisoners of war, as stipulated for by the November 9 ceasefire agreement.