You have to start somewhere and implement demarcation, Tavush is a good starting point. Ambassador of France to Armenia

French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decotigny in an exclusive interview given by "Azatutyan" referred to the border demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The interview is below.

"Azatutyun". " Since the main concern of almost everyone today is the border demarcation in the Tavush-Kazakh sector, I will start our conversation with that issue. Over the past few days, we have heard a number of statements from Western as well as regional countries expressing their support for the agreement between Yerevan and Baku. Meanwhile, France, being the closest ally of Armenians in the West, is still silent. What is the position of Paris in this matter?"

Olivier Decotigny: "It is good that demarcation is starting. It is even better that it begins on the basis of the Declaration of Alma-Ata. It is clearly a positive development that should continue. Armenia has expressed its willingness to make certain concessions based on the Alma-Ata declaration, and we expect that Azerbaijan will also make concessions. Currently, Azerbaijan has occupied large parts of the territory of Armenia, and it must leave those territories. The Prime Minister of France recently reminded about it. And so we think it's a good development that needs to continue."

"Azatutyun". "Do you share the concern that effective border demarcation cannot take place under threats, the existence of which was also acknowledged by the Prime Minister of Armenia?"

Olivier Decotigny: "You have to start somewhere. It is necessary to start from somewhere and carry out demarcation through negotiations. Tavush is a good starting point. And we are eagerly waiting for the demarcation to continue within the framework of the principles that Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed upon in the Prague Declaration. It is the Alma-Ata Declaration, which defines the international borders of the former Soviet republics, and the parties respect and recognize each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"Azatutyun". "You said: Tavush is a good starting point, good, or a point that was the only possible one at that moment?"

Olivier Decotigny: " It has started, and we should be positive."

"Azatutyun". "Several opposition parties, which criticize the government's position on this issue, recently announced that they are going to meet with the ambassadors of Western countries. Have you met them and what was your message?"

Olivier Decotigny: " I meet them. But I have not come across that particular subject. I have received offers and, of course, I will meet. In the face of Armenia, we have a friendly country, and the French embassy is open to all Armenian political forces."

"Azatutyun". " In recent months, we witnessed an unprecedented deterioration of relations between France and Azerbaijan, as a result of which Paris recalled its ambassador from Baku. However, last week, some Azerbaijani media, including official ones, reported that the ambassador had returned. Can you confirm that?"

Olivier Decotigny: " I am not the ambassador of France to Azerbaijan."

"Azatutyun". "But you are aware of your partner, aren't you?"

Olivier Decotigny: "I am not responsible for relations with that country. We had and still have a number of problems with Azerbaijan, which our interior minister clearly stated a few days ago, it was about Azerbaijan's interference in our internal politics, especially in the New Caledonia region. I have nothing to add to what the Minister of Internal Affairs said."

"Azatutyun". " After all, is the French ambassador in Baku now or not?

Olivier Decotigny: "I cannot say whether he is in Paris or Baku, but I can say that he is not in Shushi."

Full interview on the source website.