At the summit held on October 26-27, the heads of state and government of the European Union discussed the situation in the South Caucasus. They expressed their support for the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"We exchanged strategic views on the situation in the South Caucasus. We are determined to continue our activities to return to the normalization process based on the principles of recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity between Azerbaijan and Armenia," EU Council President Charles Michel said in a press release after the meeting.

The document on the conclusions of the summit emphasized the support of the Council of the European Union to the achievement of lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the principles of recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity. "EU Brussels supports the normalization process and calls on the parties to approach the process in good faith and conclude it by the end of the year," it stated. The EU also stressed the importance of ensuring the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, including those who want to return to their homes.

Speaking to the press after the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said they intend to continue mediation efforts between the two countries, but the current situation is a cause for concern. Macron noted that unequivocal support for Armenia, especially for its territorial integrity, is important. "President Aliyev's recent statements and signals sent do not correspond to the right direction. As recognized and affirmed in the Prague Declaration, we will be vigilant to ensure that the 1991 borders are respected by all parties," Macron added.

Response from Azerbaijan to Macron

On the same day, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemned and rejected the claims made by French President Emmanuel Macron against Azerbaijan during the European Union Council meeting.

"It is ridiculous and unacceptable for France to accuse the Azerbaijani side of creating a threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia, which has condoned the occupation of nearly 20% of Azerbaijan's territory by Armenia and encouraged separatism in our territories while acting as a mediator for decades. France has never had a successful mediation effort, and its mediation of the former Armenia-Azerbaijani conflict ended with the Minsk Group," it added.

"If France had given Armenia the right direction instead of giving false promises to Armenia, there would have been no need to resolve the threat against Azerbaijan by force, and the issue would have been resolved peacefully. It was the failure of the mediation efforts involving France and the failure to prevent the occupation policy of Armenia that pushed Azerbaijan to liberate its lands by military means," the report noted.

"In this regard, France's position shows that it refuses to learn from the current situation in its former colonial regions. In contrast, France stubbornly tries to compensate for its failures in Africa and other regions with its already doomed intervention in our region. If France wants to resolve the issues arising from its fragile presence in its former colonies less painfully, Azerbaijan can provide mediation services in this direction," the information stated.