Armenia and France's Foreign Ministers Discuss Post-War Situation

On January 21, Foreign Minister Ara Aivazyan had a phone conversation with France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The two discussed in detail the post-war situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, as well as issues related to regional security and peace.

Presenting the implementation of the provisions of the trilateral statement dated November 9 regarding the cessation of hostilities and the deployment of peacekeepers in Artsakh, Minister Aivazyan emphasized the urgent need to address humanitarian issues that require immediate solutions, particularly concerning the repatriation of prisoners of war and civilians held captive.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and France also exchanged views on the steps being taken to address the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, highlighting the necessity for direct and uninterrupted involvement of international organizations in this process.

Key topics of the conversation included measures to preserve the historical, cultural, and religious heritage in areas of Artsakh under Azerbaijani control, as well as the role of international specialized organizations in this process. Minister Aivazyan noted that the urgency of the issue is heightened in light of Azerbaijan's efforts to destroy Armenian heritage and distort identity.

During the phone conversation, the resumption of the peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship and the upcoming timeline for the co-chairs were also discussed. The interlocutors exchanged ideas on several bilateral agenda issues and the activation of dialogue at various levels.