We Want the Lachin Corridor to Have Additional International Guarantees: Araik Harutyunyan in France

The President of the Republic of Artsakh, Araik Harutyunyan, led a delegation that arrived on a working visit to the French Republic on December 5. According to the National Assembly of Artsakh, on December 6, the delegation held meetings with the leaders of all parliamentary groups in the Senate of France and the heads of all factions in the National Assembly.

During the meeting, issues related to the resolution of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict, Armenia-France relations, and regional processes were discussed. Special attention was given to the development of inter-parliamentary ties.

Speaking about Artsakh’s interest in developing relations with France, particularly its legislative body, the President highly appreciated the consistent efforts of the Senate and the National Assembly aimed at resolving the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict. He stated, “The resolutions adopted by the Senate and National Assembly regarding Artsakh are a good basis for a comprehensive and sustainable resolution of the conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. Respecting the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and recognizing the results of this right’s implementation is the only path to resolving the conflict that guarantees an adequate level of protection for the rights and security of the people of Artsakh.”

Expressing gratitude to the parliamentarians for the adoption of the resolutions, the country’s leader noted that these decisions serve as a political message and fully align with France’s political traditions based on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. According to the President, the more pressing issue now is to turn these political messages into reality and to empower them.

In this context, the President expressed hope that the efforts towards the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh would be completed by the French executive branch, which would help prevent a new genocide of Armenians in their homeland. He also expressed hope that the adoption of resolutions by both chambers of the French Parliament, calling for the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh, would serve as an example for other countries around the world.

Araik Harutyunyan also presented the post-war situation in Artsakh to the French parliamentarians. He particularly noted that Artsakh is connected to Armenia and the outside world only by one road—the Lachin corridor, 5 kilometers wide. “Azerbaijan wants to cut this sole and last connection to the outside world, suffocating Artsakh. We want the Lachin corridor to have additional international guarantees to ensure unimpeded connection between Armenia and the outside world,” said the President.

According to the country’s leader, Artsakh expects France’s active involvement in implementing humanitarian programs, securing the return of Armenians held captive, and preserving the endangered Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in areas occupied by Azerbaijan.

Also present at the meetings were the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Armenia to France, Hasmik Tolmajyan, and the member of the Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, co-chair of the Council of Coordinating Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF), Mourad Papazian. Other meetings are also scheduled during the visit.