I Was Next to the Governor of Syunik When He Learned About the Advancement: French Official

The President of the Regional Council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Laurent Wauquiez, has stated that the violations of international law by Azerbaijan should not be ignored in Armenia, Artsakh, and the Lachin Corridor. He emphasized the necessity of taking practical steps. According to Armenpress, Laurent Wauquiez made this statement during a press conference held at the representative office of Artsakh in Armenia.

Wauquiez highlighted that he has been a friend of Armenia and Artsakh for many years and is shocked by the situation surrounding Armenia and Artsakh. “In 2019, we met with representatives of Artsakh, and a cooperation agreement was signed between Artsakh and my region. We adopted a political stance in my region to affirm the right to independence of Artsakh, which led to serious pressure from pan-Turkist terrorist organizations against me and even my family. Why am I here today? Because I am well aware that all international attention is focused on Ukraine, and there is a great danger that Armenia and Artsakh will be forgotten in all this. I am here to say that we do not forget you, you are not alone, and we must not allow silence to ensue and the violations of international law in Armenia, Artsakh, and the Lachin Corridor to be overlooked,” emphasized Laurent Wauquiez.

The President of the Regional Council of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes was recently at the beginning of the Lachin Corridor to show his compatriots that international law is being violated there, and that beyond that border, 120,000 people are deprived of all basic human rights. “I was next to the Governor of Syunik at the moment he learned that there had been an advancement one day prior in the location we were (in Tegh village). I have seen and can attest to the violations of international law. I have also seen Azerbaijani flags waving on the heights occupied in Armenian lands. I was able to talk shortly ago with displaced persons from Artsakh, whose words are deeply moving. As a politician, it is my duty to take action and be able to help you in this time,” said Laurent Wauquiez.

The French politician stressed that it is essential not to allow the situation where international law is not respected to be established and normalized. He informed that they are planning to organize a humanitarian convoy with organizations representing the Armenian community in France, which will try to deliver humanitarian aid to Artsakh. “The convoy will be organized with the support of our region and will carry our regional flag. It will approach the Lachin Corridor, and we will demand that it be allowed to pass and reach Artsakh. Either the convoy will pass, and at that moment we will have opened a small door of hope, or the convoy will not be able to pass, and that will give us grounds to present this issue before international and European organizations, showing once again that international law is being violated, and that action must be taken,” emphasized Laurent Wauquiez.