French Foreign Minister French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh issue before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly. Below is the Minister's speech as provided by the French Embassy in Armenia.

The situation of the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh is profoundly serious at the moment.

That is why our political mobilization is very strong, because, as you know, France [as a co-chair of the Minsk Group has been mandated by the OSCE (…) since 1994, which led to the fact that last night my colleagues Pompeo and Lavrov We have issued a statement, which may seem surprising, as we seldom make a trilateral message on this scale, calling on both sides to stop fighting and to start negotiations with the three co-chairs (…). It is a very harsh statement addressed to both sides. We want it to be clear.

There are many casualties among the civilian population in exchange for small territorial gains in Azerbaijan, as it was Azerbaijan that initiated the conflict for a relatively small territorial gain and the conflict continues this morning. We want each of the parties to realize that it is in their interests to immediately end the hostilities without preconditions, to start the negotiations effectively under the tripartite sponsorship of the countries I mentioned earlier.

What’s new is that there is a Turkish military involvement, which poses a threat to the internationalization of the conflict, which we do not want. We very clearly express our will that the compromise, which presupposes the renunciation of any preconditions, respect for the ceasefire regime, resumption of negotiations, will lead to a common positive solution, even if it takes some time.

For my part, I must say that we are in daily contact with the parties. The same can be said about my Russian counterpart, Deputy Secretary Pompeo. The situation has been going on for 11 days. So far, we have not managed [to start negotiations]. Meetings will be held in Moscow tomorrow. Other meetings will be held in Moscow on Monday. Our wish is to achieve the start of negotiations.

We cannot say "I want a ceasefire, but on the condition that ...", otherwise nothing will change. We need to end the conflict, sit down at the table, discuss, and take the time to come to an agreement on a situation that will allow the parties to live normally. (…) I do not try to give up our role in the Minsk process.

I have read various public opinions that France should put aside the impartiality reserved for its position in the Minsk Group. Everyone knows about the historical, friendly, fraternal relations with the Armenians, but I am not sure that this has served the Armenians.

By the way, they do not even ask us about it. I am in daily contact with my Armenian colleague. I know him very well. They do not ask us to do that.

 Mr. Pashinyan, my colleague the Minister of Foreign Affairs, urges that France play its role together with Russia, the United States, so that at the same time a ceasefire regime is established, and a negotiation process begins.

The mistake that all three of us made, including the Armenians and the Azeris, is that we did not get seriously involved in the negotiations on the territories. And I understand when some people say, "We will establish a ceasefire, we will end with this, there will be a dividing line, it will last for 10 years.

 Everyone must be convinced that there becommitment to a ceasefire immediately. You are well aware that the central map of Nagorno Karabakh is not only the exact territory of the latter. There are also adjacent territories that are the subject of battles.

Returning to the negotiating table, let's start negotiations on the basis of a ceasefire in its current status, demanding that foreign forces not intervene.  

As for the civilian population, it is true that the conflict is going on, the bombing continues, in particular the shelling of the capital Stepanakert, which leads to emigration, very difficult situations.

We repeat that the laws of war prohibit the injury of civilians. We remind both sides that when a war breaks out, both sides act; we want them to be able to come to a solution that will prevent aggression against the civilian population. We also participate in NGO initiatives to support the plight of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

It is necessary to put an end to the escalation. That is our demand, and the diplomatic role is to inform the parties about it and to put pressure on each of the parties to find a solution to start negotiations. (…)

I want the current negotiation formulas to lead to a real discussion. We understand [MPs Clappo and Tessier] support for Armenians. There should be a serious clarification with Turkey. We have several annoying and conflicting issues. (…) You have the issue of Libya (…), there is the issue of Syria, you have the issue of Iraq, which is new, you have the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, you have the issue of the Eastern Mediterranean, this is already a lot.

A few days ago, the President of the Republic talked to Mr. Erdogan, and I will soon talk to my colleague Çavuşolu (…). The relations are heated. I speak about it because I am in front of the public. To develop this strong dialogue, it is necessary for the European Union to be united, for our European partners to be guided by the same dynamics.

Photo: French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (Le Parisisien.fr)