Macron briefly mentioned Armenia in the context of “the all too long list of forgotten wars, unjust victories, poorly negotiated resolutions” of conflicts around the world.
“The international community must be there to ensure that peace negotiations are successful and that internationally recognized borders are preserved,” he said.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned Macron’s remarks that highlighted France’ close relationship with Armenia. A ministry spokesman said France must end its “unconstructive actions in our region.” He also accused Paris of “heavily arming and preparing Armenia for revanchism.”
Baku earlier denounced French-Armenian defense contracts signed over the past year. They call for the sale of French-manufactured radars, artillery and short-range air-defense systems and armored personnel carriers to the Armenian military. In particular, the latter is reportedly due to receive 36 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers by the end of next year.
Armenian leaders say these and other arms acquisitions are designed to counter a continuing Azerbaijani military buildup. They argue that oil-rich Azerbaijan’s defense budget is more than twice bigger than Armenia’s.
Visiting Yerevan earlier this month, then French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne defended France’s deepening military ties with Armenia. He urged Baku to reciprocate Yerevan’s desire to promptly sign a peace deal that would commit the two South Caucasus nations to recognizing each other’s borders.
Sejourne’s newly appointed successor, Jean-Noel Barrot, called for a “just and lasting peace in the South Caucasus” after talks with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan held at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday. In an X post, he also voiced support for “the sovereignty and resilience of Armenian democracy.”
The Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that Mirzoyan and Barrot discussed “joint efforts to deepen [French-Armenian] cooperation” as well as “regional developments.”
“We are moving towards building strategic relations,” the ministry quoted Mirzoyan as saying during the talks.