France: Unilateral Karabakh recognition wouldn't benefit either side

PanARMENIAN.Net - Secretary of State at the French Foreign Ministry Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne believes that a unilateral recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh will not benefit either side.

Speaking during discussions of a resolution proposed by the French Senate requesting the government to recognize the independence of Karabakh on Wednesday, November 25, Lemoyne said such a move is not in the interests of Armenia, Karabakh, France, European partners, or the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries.

According to him, it is against the policy of the French government, Armenia and their partners, TASS reports.

"France can play a mediating role only if it has the confidence of the sides. This issue should be approached in a spirit of truth and responsibility, realizing all the consequences of such a move," the diplomat said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the French Senate voted near unanimously (305-1) for a resolution calling for the recognition of Artsakh (Karabakh) by France.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev on November 9 signed a statement to end the war in Karabakh after almost 45 days. Under the deal, the Armenian side is returning all the seven regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, having lost a part of Karabakh itself in hostilities.