"I Believe in Your Principles. Armenia is a Fortress of Civilization that Must Be Defended". Nicola Aznavour's Letter to Macron

Nicola Aznavour, co-founder and chairman of the board of trustees of the Aznavour Foundation, has addressed a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron.

The letter states: "Dear Mr. President, Dear friend, steadfast supporter of the Armenian people, the last days have been filled with sorrow and deep concern for the entire Armenian nation. The Armenian people are once again under threat, and like in 1915, they are forced to struggle for their existence today. Armenian defenders bravely hold the borders of the country, but the battles are fierce, and the casualties are numerous.

I once again turn to you as a person and a leader who is not afraid to speak the truth and for whom human values are paramount. You have demonstrated this throughout your governance. In your recent speeches, you reminded the Armenians and the world once again that Armenia is not alone in the face of these tyrants. You courageously condemned Turkey's hypocrisy and cynicism and its complicity in Baku's crimes.

The involvement of Syrian jihadists, mercenary-terrorists in this conflict once again confirms the immoral signature of those governments and heralds the terrorist threat reaching Europe and Russia by way of Turkey. Baku targets peaceful civilians and journalists using prohibited ammunition, violating all principles of international law.

Your and the French people's support is immensely important to us. I urge you to take concrete actions for our people's salvation – recognizing the Republic of Artsakh as a sovereign state that will be able to benefit from the provisions of international law, applying economic sanctions against Azerbaijan and Turkey for their crimes, and exerting pressure on the UN to activate mechanisms for re-establishing peace in the region.

I believe in you and your principles, and I am fully hopeful that our humanitarian and democratic values will prevail against the tyranny and criminality driven by greed and thirst for power. Armenia is a fortress of civilization that must be defended."