France. Recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh
1 France The French Senate adopted a resolution calling on the French government to recognize the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. According to the voting results, 305 French senators out of 306 voted ’for’ the adoption of the resolution. The document says that "the Senate calls on the French government to recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and to use this recognition as a negotiating tool in order to establish a lasting peace. The Senate calls for the immediate withdrawal of the Azerbaijani troops, and their supporters, from the territories, captured as a result of the military operations in the region from 27th of September". The French authorities were recommended "to insist on ensuring the protection of the population, within the framework of the Minsk group, via the deployment of international forces in the area, in accordance with the recommendations of the 2007 peace plan". The secretary of state at the French Foreign Ministry, Jean-Baptiste Lemoine, stated that a one-sided recognition of Karabakh won’t benefit anyone, and it won’t help the mediation efforts. He added that France is a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, and France stands for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, reached on 9th of November by the parties of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 2 Armenia The Armenian Foreign Ministry stated that "the resolution adopted by the French Senate is an important step towards the recognition of the right of the people of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic for a self-determination" - the ministry stated on Telegram. The Armenian Foreign Ministry believes that the adopted resolution confirms the need to resume the negotiations, within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship. The Armenian Foreign Ministry ’’considers it especially important for the document to clearly mention the violations of the international laws and human rights by the Azerbaijani troops, as well as the Turkish expansionist policy. An impartial assessment of French legislators, and their condemnation of the criminal aggression against the people of Artsakh, as well as a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, will lead to a long-term peace in the region" - the Armenian Foreign Ministry stated. The Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, called the resolution of the French Senate a ’’historic decision’’ on his own Facebook page. 3 Azerbaijan While commenting the adopted resolution of the French Senate, the one that recognizes the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Press Service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stated that the decision can only be seen as a provocation. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry added that the resolution has no legal force. "Given the political significance of the document, and its adoption in France, a country with a mediating mandate - there are some serious doubts about the neutrality of that country" - the statement concluded. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry advised the French Senate "to engage in activities that contribute to peace, stability and progress in the region, instead of adopting biased resolutions". 4 Azerbaijan The Azerbaijani parliament suggested to their government to appeal to the OSCE leadership and ask to exclude France from the OSCE Minsk Group. The parliament made such statement in a response to the French Senate resolution. "The parliament calls on the Azerbaijani government to appeal to the OSCE leadership to exclude France from the co-chairs of the Minsk Group due to the French position and the statements in the recent days that put their neutrality into a question" - the document stated. The document also contains proposals "to reconsider the existing political relations between Azerbaijan and France", and "to deeply analyze the economic ties between the two countries, and take the needed measures". At the session of the parliament, some MPs made proposals to recall the Azerbaijani ambassador to Paris for consultations, and to break off all the relations with the upper house of the French parliament. 5 Turkey The Turkish Foreign Ministry denounced the resolution of the French Senate, which called on the French government to recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. "That decision of the French Senate is a clear indication of why the work of the OSCE Minsk Group, carried out by the co-chairs, who must remain neutral, have not yet been finished. The French Senate’s call for Azerbaijan to leave their territories, which Azerbaijan saved from an occupation, is a manifestation of absurd and biased understanding of the situation. It can’t be taken seriously" - the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated and expressed a desire for France to ’’take a constructive position to stabilize the region, and make the right conclusions". 6 Russia The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated at a press conference after a collegium of ministries of foreign affairs of Russia and Belarus that Russia would not object to involve China in the arms negotiations if Beijing decides to join the talks. The minister added that if a multi-lateral format on the disarmament will be created for the arms control negotiations - Russia will insist that the UK and France must join it as well. “Since they are allies of the USA - we would like to see them at the negotiating table, if the negotiations become multi-lateral” - Sergei Lavrov concluded. Constantine Reztsov, specially for ANNA NEWS.
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