PARIS (Caucasus Watch) — French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, met with Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Paris on February 12. The French Foreign Ministry reported Séjourné’s indication of France’s unwavering support for Armenia’s sovereignty and resilience, emphasizing it as unconditional and steadfast.
“The ministers discussed the priorities for strengthening our bilateral cooperation projects, particularly the development of infrastructure projects in the fields of transport, energy, and water. They also spoke about bolstering relations between the European Union and Armenia. Furthermore, France is continuing to step up its humanitarian support for Armenia and the refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, with aid now amounting to 29 million euros in 2023 and enabling us to support actions by NGOs, the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross], the Armenian Red Cross, and the United Nations agencies to welcome and take social, medical, educational, and financial care of these especially vulnerable people,” the French ministry said in its readout.
The ministers also discussed efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. France reiterated its support for the mediation efforts of the European Union and the United States, emphasizing that just and lasting peace depends on respecting international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of both states’ borders.
