Deterioration of the security situation at several sections of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan (16 November 2021)

France expresses its strong concern regarding the deterioration in the security situation at several sections of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the alleged use of heavy weapons, which have caused many casualties, particularly on the Armenian side.

It calls on the parties to observe the ceasefire to which they committed themselves at the end of the trilateral declaration of 9 November 2020.

France, Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, recalls the statement by the Co-Chairs on 15 November calling for a swift de-escalation of tensions, and emphasizes the need to continue dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan on all unresolved issues linked to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

France emphasizes that the delimitation and demarcation of the border must be made through negotiation, far from any fait accompli on the ground. It recalls that it is fully ready to contribute to this process.