Armenia has proven  prosperity is possible without the interference  of empires - Emmanuel Macron

ArmInfo. The South Caucasus should not be an arena for the confrontation of empires that view the region as a trophy and pit local peoples against each other, as stated by French President Emmanuel Macron during his speech at the Yerevan Dialogue forum on May 5.

He emphasized that the region is capable of restoring its central  role between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, truly becoming a  crossroads and part of the so-called Middle Corridor, which  presupposes the opening of borders. "I want your neighbors to show  the same courage as you and accompany you on the path to peace,  prosperity, and democracy," the French President said. Noting that  the borders in the region remained virtually "hermetically sealed"  for a long time, Macron quoted the late  Armenian-Turkish journalist  Hrant Dink: "We must break the locks that turn close nations into  distant neighbors." The French President emphasized that the borders  between Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan must be open, while there  should be no restrictions with Georgia.

"This is our conviction, and it should also become a commitment for  Europe and the French Development Agency, which is actively working  in Armenia, having invested approximately 4 billion euros in the  region," Macron noted.  Welcoming Armenia's efforts toward regional  peace, the President assured that France believes in Armenia and  intends to stand by its side.

"Armenia has laid the key foundation for peace throughout the region.  For a long time, many believed that its destiny lay  under the   patronage of Russia," the head of state said. Recalling the results  of the 2020 war, Macron noted that those events have significantly  changed the perception of the situation. According to him, Russia has  abandoned Armenia. "Everyone was accustomed to the idea that Russia  should be the patron in the region, since it was believed that the  South Caucasus should always be under someone's protection. However,  Armenia has proven that there is a democratic path, one it embarked  on in 2018. The peace you have chosen is realistic, and over the past  three years you have shown that prosperity is possible without the  intervention of empires," the French leader noted, expressing his  belief that Armenia has a European destiny and calling.