Deputy Chief of the "France-Caucasus" Friendship Group of the French Senate, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Senate Nathalie Goulet asked questions to the French Government in connection with the visit of the leader of the separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh Bako Sahakyan to France.
According to the press service of the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, while Nathalie Goulet asking question to representative of the French government, said the following:
"In the Caucasus, there are a number of frozen conflicts; one of them is the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In May, the "president" of the so-called Nagorno Karabakh Republic has made an "official" visit to France, during which signed the "Charter friendly" with the Department of Drome and the nearby towns. This self-proclaimed republic not recognized by any country, even Armenia. France plays an important diplomatic role in resolving the conflict, is co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group. The signing of these charters is not only contrary to the official position of France, but also the principles of international law. It is, in fact, supports the occupation. Imagine that tomorrow the "president" of the unrecognized Crimea, Abkhazia and South Ossetia will sign with cities in France such agreements. This is a very bad sign. You can not sign any document with the breakaway territory of international law."
Representing the Government of the State Secretary to the Minister for Education, Higher Education and Research Thierry Mandon said the following on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius:
"Ms. Goulet, you`re absolutely right, noting the complexity of the issue from the political and legal points of view. As you pointed out, a number of communities of local government signed the "Charter friendly" with the communities of the unrecognized NKR. These charters have been signed during the visit, "NKR President" to France on May 18-20.As you pointed out, France is a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and plays the role of mediator in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. France never recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent entity or part of Armenia. We do not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and do not have bilateral relations with this "structure". Therefore, the French government regrets such initiatives of local communities. The signing of these "friendly charters" is illegal in accordance with Article L. 1115-1 of the Code with the local communities. Of course, this step at the same time contrary to the international obligations of France, this does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Madam Senator, you are absolutely right that a similar situation could be repeated with regard to other regions, for example, in relation to the Crimea. I can assure you that France, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group is fully committed to the process of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I would like to emphatically state that our relations with Armenia will not affect the future will not affect the traditional neutrality of France in the OSCE Minsk Group.”
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