Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and new French ambassador Anne Louyot on Wednesday, September 29, discussed the situation created after Azerbaijan's incursion into the sovereign territory of Armenia since mid-May. The two also discussed the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh, which resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of IDPs.

Azerbaijani forces violated Armenia’s border in several sections in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik on May 12 and 13 and are still refusing to withdraw their troops from the area. Since then, almost a dozen Armenian servicemen have been killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting, a dozen others have been wounded.

Mirzoyan said he highly appreciated France's dedication to the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, the protection of historical and cultural heritage in the territories of Artsakh under Azerbaijani control.

Both sides stressed the need for the resumption of peace talks within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at a comprehensive settlement of the conflict and the establishment of stability and security in the region.

The Armenian foreign policy chief noted that Yerevan attaches great importance to the future deepening of the unique relations with France. In this context, the interlocutors first of all discussed the implementation of concrete programs for the promotion and expansion of Armenian-French cooperation in the economic sphere, as well as further prospects for strengthening ties in the educational and cultural spheres.