France-Artsakh Friendship Group Ready to Support Artsakh

The members of the France-Artsakh Friendship Group welcome the proposal by the President of the French Republic to implement practical programs and intend to establish contact with the relevant ministries to explore the conditions for their implementation. This was reported by the France-Artsakh Friendship Group.

On January 29, the President of the French Republic spoke at the annual dinner of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF). For the second consecutive year, Emmanuel Macron participated in this annual event, as did his predecessors.

Responding to questions posed by the two co-chairs of the Coordinating Council, Mourad Papazian and Ara Toranian, the President announced that “human dignity and solidarity are inseparable,” and then addressed the situation surrounding the self-declared Republic of Artsakh. Reminding of France’s responsibility as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Emmanuel Macron stated that Paris will “prioritize the right of people to act.”

“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the co-chairs of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France for conveying the expectations of the people of Artsakh from France, which they consider a respected country that acts as a protector of peoples and is uncompromising in fundamental human rights issues,” highlighted Guy Tessien, the president of the France-Artsakh Friendship Group.

The Republic’s President also elaborated on the friendship declarations signed between cities in France and Artsakh, most of which have been annulled by administrative courts following petitions from prefects acting on instructions from the ministries.

Desiring to calm the situation, the President acknowledged that “the application of the law does not preclude dialogue” and stated that from now on he wishes to “move forward in a realistic and effective way.” In this regard, Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that “direct dialogue will be established between the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs, and local authorities with such intentions, so that we stop opposing each other in this matter and can find more effective measures.”

Detailing his idea, the President proposed to “discuss within a working group, so that the local authorities wishing to provide assistance to the population of Artsakh can adopt effective and legally compliant decisions. If the aim is cultural or humanitarian assistance, we will find the legal framework to make them achievable.”

The Friendship Group welcomes such progress in the President’s position and will follow up to ensure its implementation. “My goal is to implement real projects in education and humanitarian areas with Artsakh,” stated Pascal Dole, a member of the group and the mayor of Arnouvil, whose signed Friendship Declaration was annulled by an administrative court. “In the coming weeks, many members of the group and I will establish contact with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to explore how to practically implement such cooperation while respecting the supremacy of law and the values of the Republic,” emphasized the mayor of Arnouvil.

The Friendship Group is ready to promote cooperation established with the local self-government bodies of Artsakh, following this latest presidential initiative, and to develop constructive relations between France and Artsakh.