Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh – Telephone conversation between Jean-Marc Ayrault and his Azerbaijani counterpart (April 4, 2016)

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Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, called his Azerbaijani counterpart, Elmar Mammadyarov, on April 4 in the afternoon to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

He had also spoken with his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, on Saturday, April 2.

The minister expressed our concerns to his interlocutors about the fighting currently taking place along the line of contact, underscored that the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh could not be resolved through force and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

He confirmed France’s determination to continue its efforts within the framework of its co-presidency alongside the United States and Russia of the Minsk Group to help find a lasting and peaceful solution to this conflict.

With the agreement of the parties, the American, French and Russian co-chairs of the Minsk Group will travel to Baku, Yerevan and Nagorno-Karabakh in the next few days.

With respect to the conflict between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, is the French government speaking with the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh?

France, which is a co-chair of the Minsk Group responsible for mediation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, has never recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent entity, nor as part of the territory of the Republic of Armenia. We do not maintain bilateral contacts with the de facto authorities of this territory.

France, which is a co-chair of the Minsk Group, remains committed to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.