French President Emmanuel Macron attended and delivered extensive remarks at the annual gala hosted by the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF), which took place at l’Hôtel du Collectionneur in Paris on January 29.
The French leader addressed, among other things, the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict, stating that Armenia has found itself at the crossroads of a major crisis and France stands by it.
"The unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an obstacle to the progress of confidence and security in Europe," Macron said.
The French president noted that next week's elections in Azerbaijan could have a positive impact on the conflict settlement process, expressing hope that some progress could be achieved in spring.
“Contacts have been established between the leaders, and I see a way out here," Macron said, stressing that the unresolved conflict is also a human drama which keeps the people living in Karabakh and its surrounding areas in instability and isolation.
Macron also touched upon the declarations of friendship signed between the cities of Karabakh and France, pointing to some legal issues with the documents.
"The problem with these declarations is that it puts France's territorial community and a local self-government body not benefiting from international recognition at the same level," Macron said, recalling that Armenia has not recognized Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to Macron, the French law, however, does not exclude dialogue and humanitarian assistance.