Meeting with Prime Minister

On April 27, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by Catherine Colonna, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, the Press Office of the Armenian Prime Minister reported.

The Prime Minister welcomed the visit of the French Foreign Minister to Armenia and emphasized the importance of Armenia-France relations: "I want to express special thanks to the President of France, to you, to the government for the attention that is given to the problems of our region, in particular, to the crisis around the Nagorno Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor," said Nikol Pashinyan.

In turn, Catherine Colonna added: "You know that France is Armenia's friend, stands by Armenia, and many things connect us with this country. But I want to personally say once again: we stand by your side during the reforms, efforts, and work you are conducting; we are also by your side in searching for a just and sustainable peace".

"Issues related to the further developing and strengthening cooperation between Armenia and France in various fields were discussed. The interlocutors referred to the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh that resulted from the situation around the Lachin Corridor and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The officials emphasized the need for the immediate implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice and the need for Azerbaijan to unblock the Lachin Corridor. Unilateral actions by Azerbaijan, including the establishment of a checkpoint in the Lachin Corridor, which is a gross violation of the statement of November 9, 2020, were considered unacceptable," the report added.

The sides also exchanged thoughts on issues related to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In the context of ensuring security and stability in the region, the effective activity of the EU observation mission in Armenia was highlighted.

Remarks after the meeting; Visit to Jermuk

After the meeting, Catherine Colonna said: "There was a very saturated meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to sign a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. France expresses full support for the path of peace he has chosen."

Also, the French Foreign Minister paid respects to the victims of the Ottoman Empire's 1915 Armenian Genocide by visiting the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex with Armenia's foreign minister, Ararat Mirzoyan.

Catherine Colonna also traveled to Jermuk, Armenia, where she was greeted by the EU's civilian observers delegation as well as Major-General Edward Asryan, the Chief of Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces.

Colonna also described the cooperation between Armenia and the EU monitoring mission as very positive. "This work gives positive results. It allows us to get information through the monitoring work on the ground that is useful for the EU members. This is a monitoring mission, not an armed mission, the purpose is to monitor the situation, but in any case, that presence allows to reduce tension," the French Foreign Minister said.

In an interview with Armenpress, Colonna said that France wants negotiations to begin between representatives of [the separatist] Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijani authorities with the international community's support. She said the talks should focus on the rights and security guarantees of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. "This means that all favorable conditions should be created for such negotiations," the minister stressed. 

She also said a military mission had been set up under the French Embassy in Armenia. "Regarding defense, creating a military mission under the French Embassy in Armenia will deepen our bilateral cooperation in this key area," Colonna informed.

Response from Azerbaijan 

On April 28, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stated that the baseless claims made by the French Minister were unacceptable. 

"We would like to remind those who make baseless claims accusing Azerbaijan of interfering in the territories of Armenia that Armenia is the party that has been carrying out the policy of occupation and ethnic cleansing for 30 years. It is a pity that the French side, which pretends to be the party making an 'effort' to resolve the conflict, will do this once in 30 years. He did not condemn Armenia for its illegal occupation policy," it added.

The Ministry emphasized: "Besides, the interference against establishing a border checkpoint in its sovereign territory, which is an internal matter of Azerbaijan, is against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. It is completely wrong to evaluate the establishment of this checkpoint, which will regulate the entry-exit regime from the border, as closing the road. Instead of exhibiting biased approaches, it would be more useful for the French side to encourage Armenia to fulfill its obligations arising from the agreements and to refrain from provocations against Azerbaijan."

Read more about Colonna's visit to Azerbaijan: Ilham Aliyev Receives French Foreign Minister