Baku, Azerbaijan, March 6
By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:
The ambassador of France in Azerbaijan, Pascal Monnier, told Trend on March 6 that his country doesn't recognize the "independence" of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, which is occupied by Armenia.
The ambassador's comments came in the wake of remarks made by three members of the so-called France-Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentary friendship group - the senators Sophie Joissains and Michel Amiel, and the mayor of the town of Bourg-les-Valence, Marlene Mourier.
Their remarks in support of the recognition of the "independence" of Nagorno-Karabakh by international community were posted on the website of the French weekly magazine, L'Express.
"France does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh's independence and continuously supports the ongoing mediation process of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict, according to the principles of international law," Ambassador Monnier told Trend.
He said a French senator asking for recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh's "independence", is expressing a personal opinion that doesn't engage the French Republic.
Monnier added that France, conforming to its position, doesn't have any relations with the "authorities" in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Edited by SI
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