Paris City Council Adopts Resolution on Recognition of Artsakh

The Armenian Embassy in France reports that the Paris City Council has adopted a resolution regarding the recognition of Artsakh.

The resolution concerning the situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh states:

"Considering the commitment of representatives of local self-government in France demanding the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, including a group of parliamentarians from various political parties who presented a proposal for a resolution on the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh on October 19, 2020,

Considering the joint appeal of the Mayor of the 9th district of Paris, Delphine Burkli, and members of the groups 'Progressives and Independents,' Pierre-Yves Bournazel, Alexis Govtsian, and 'MoDem, Democrats and Ecologists,' Mod Lhliiev, regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, which they decided to combine with the general appeal of the Paris City Council,

Considering that on September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan unleashed a military attack with the political and military support of Turkey and the involvement of jihadist fighters from Syria,

Considering that dozens of civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh have been injured and killed due to the airstrikes by the armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, that 80% of the urban infrastructure in Stepanakert, including educational and health facilities, has largely been destroyed, and that there are numerous devastations and casualties in other settlements as well,

Considering the humanitarian catastrophe in Nagorno-Karabakh, marked by a significant number of losses,

Considering that, despite France’s calls to immediately cease military operations as a co-chair of the Minsk Group and a mediator in the conflict since the start of hostilities, the situation has worsened, with several ceasefires declared, all of which were violated within one hour of being announced,

Considering the final ceasefire signed under the auspices of the Russian Federation on November 9, in which France was not a participant, and where the victory of force prevailed over dialogue,

Considering that with this ceasefire, the armed forces of the two combatants remain in the positions occupied by them as of that day, to the detriment of the Armenian people and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh,

Considering that, despite the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces, the existence of Nagorno-Karabakh is under threat,

Considering that the Mayor of Paris has repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities and reiterated the support of the Paris city authorities for the Armenian people during military operations, wherever they reside,

Considering the long-standing and unwavering friendly relations between the city of Paris and the Armenian people, which was reaffirmed at the level of senior officials of the Republic of Armenia, including our colleague, Deputy Mayor Anush Toranyan, who accompanied the observer mission of the Armenian General Benevolent Union - AGBU Europe during the peak time of hostilities,

Considering that the city of Paris has traditionally provided assistance to populations victimized by massive human rights violations and that there is an urgent need to alert regarding the humanitarian catastrophe,

Considering that the capital Yerevan is a member of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF),

Considering that for the Paris city authorities, it is of great importance to provide support to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh,

Upon the proposal of the Executives of the Paris City Hall, 'United Paris,' 'Communists and Citizens,' 'Paris Ecologists,' 'Generations,' 'Independents and Progressives,' 'Change Paris,' 'MoDem,' 'Democrats and Ecologists,' the Paris City Council calls for:

• For the Mayor of Paris to write a letter to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, urging France to recognize the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh),
• For the French government to remove the obstacle placed before local authorities in France in establishing relations with Nagorno-Karabakh, allowing for humanitarian assistance to be given in the context of collaboration with Nagorno-Karabakh,
• For the Paris city authorities to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh through local operators, ensuring targeted assistance to populations affected by the conflict,
• For the Paris city authorities to provide financial aid of 50,000 euros to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and the displaced persons who have taken refuge in the Republic of Armenia.

This assistance, provided through the French-Armenian Fund, adds to the 50,000 euros previously granted to the capital Yerevan, a partner city of Paris and a member of the AIMF.