Mayor of Paris: If the only solution to the current conflict is the  recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, we should not hesitate

ArmInfo. By providing political and military support to Azerbaijan, Turkey has deeply  changed the regional balance, which destabilizes the entire region.  Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo stated this in an interview with Nouvelles  d'Armenie.

According to her, if Turkey wants to take on the role of a regional  power, it must by its actions contribute to stability, the search for  agreed solutions and the prosperity of the region, and, no less  important, recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915. "But we are far  from this. I would add that Ankara is playing a very dangerous game,  in particular, opening up an opportunity for jihadists to join  Azerbaijan and take part in hostilities," the Mayor said. She stated  that in this conflict Baku is clearly an aggressor supported by  Turkey.

The Minsk Group, which unites the French, Americans and Russians,  must determine what the future of Karabakh and its people will be,  and this decision will have to be made. "I hope it can end the  conflict as soon as possible and start negotiations for a lasting and  just peace in the region. In addition, I note that a humanitarian  ceasefire was achieved this weekend, which I hope will be more  respected than last week's ceasefire, which was repeatedly violated.  War is never a solution, and in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh it  brings back painful centuries-old memories, ""said Anne Hidalgo.  In  her opinion, it is quite obvious that President Erdogan's regime is  nationalistic. He denies the reality of the Armenian genocide and  encourages Azerbaijan to carry out ethnic cleansing of the population  of Nagorno-Karabakh. "Every time I came to Yerevan and paid tribute  to the memory of 1.5 million victims of the Genocide, every time I  wondered about the mechanisms that allowed planning and committing  such crimes," Anne Hidalgo emphasized.

The Mayor of Paris noted that she understands the approach of 22  French parliamentarians, who demanded the immediate adoption of a  resolution on the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh by France.  "If the only solution to the current conflict is the recognition of  Nagorno-Karabakh, we should not hesitate. But the Foreign Ministry  believes that only the Minsk Group can allow a return to peace and  security. Therefore, I do not want to impede France's efforts to find  a peaceful solution. I am in constant contact with The Foreign  Ministry, which is working energetically and pragmatically to end the  conflict. The goal is for the Armenians to live in a stable and  secure manner in Nagorno-Karabakh, as in Armenia. I share the  priorities of the French government, which, together with the Minsk  Group, seeks to end the clashes and return to negotiations. I support  self-determination as such, "said Anne Hidalgo.

She added that the Paris Council cannot recognize the independence of  Artsakh, because the laws of local authorities do not allow  municipalities to recognize or sign an agreement with a legal entity  not recognized by France. But the city can spearhead other  initiatives. "I was informed that UGAB Europe would like to send  young European citizens as observers. I think this initiative is  excellent. I suggested that on their return they come and witness  what they saw, bringing in European mayors who wish. Restitution  should take place in mid-November ",  said the Mayor.

The Mayor also noted that she appealed to the international  association of French-speaking mayors (AIMF), of which Yerevan is a  member, with a proposal to provide immediate assistance in the amount  of 50 thousand euros to provide emergency assistance to refugees and  support the healthcare system in Armenia. "I also intend to travel to  Yerevan at the beginning of 2021 with a delegation from the Council  of Paris to demonstrate our solidarity and see how to further  strengthen our ties," Anne Hidalgo said.