France and Armenia will continue their military cooperation, that country’s foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné, said on Monday, also calling on Baku to demonstrate its commitment to the peace agenda in the region.
“We will continue our cooperation in the defense sector, among others,” Séjourné, who is visiting Armenia, said during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday.
“Armenia should be able to defend its integrity, its territory, its population,” said the French foreign minister, adding that it is only “natural” for friends to cooperate in the defense sector. He said that such cooperation demonstrates respect for sovereignty “and the desire to not cause escalation.”
Azerbaijan’s leadership, including its president, Ilham Aliyev, have criticized France for its military support to Armenia, accusing official Paris of destabilizing the region and setting back the peace agenda.
In his remarks, Séjourné wanted concrete guarantees from Baku on its commitment to actually achieve peace in the region.
“The South Caucasus should become a region of peace and cooperation, this will give an opportunity to expand trade and bring prosperity to Armenia. Armenia wants peace, France wants peace, the international community also wants peace,” Séjourné said.
“Azerbaijan will soon host the COP29 [UN Climate Change Conference], Baku must show before that that it also strives for peace,” the French foreign minister added.
Séjourné also emphasized France’s support for the prompt signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan “based on respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, which will bring peace and stability to the region.”
He also said that delimitation and demarcation of borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan must be based on “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries.”
Séjourné, once again, voiced support for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s proposal to establish investigation mechanisms to probe reposts of ceasefire violations. Official Baku has yet to respond to this proposal.
During his meetings with Pashinyan and Mirzoyan, Séjourné reassured and reiterated his country’s support and alliance with Armenia.
“France stands by its historical partner, friendly country Armenia, and our support for its independence, territorial integrity and aspirations for peace is unwavering,” Séjourné said in a video message posted on social media after the conclusion of his visit to Armenia.
“We have strong cooperation with Armenia, and we are further strengthening it. We support the development of Armenia’s strategic infrastructures to ensure the country’s resilience. We cooperate also in the defense sector. With the France-Armenia initiative we support those who are involved in supporting Armenia,” he added.
