Macron to Aliyev: allow passage between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Dec 2022 00:19

The French president asked his Azerbaijanian counterpart to allow free passage between Armenia and the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

President of Azerbain Ilham Aliyev (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (AFP)

French President Emmanuel Macron called on the Azerbaijani Ilham Aliyev to secure uninterrupted passage between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In a statement released by the French presidency, Macron on Friday, "expressed his deepest preoccupation with renewed tensions in the South Caucasus," to Aliyev, and urged him to, "allow free movement along the Lachin corridor."

Earlier last week, Azerbaijani individuals blocked the only road that connects Armenia to the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Yerevan accused Baku of being behind the blockade, which the latter denied, arguing that demonstrators and environmentalists closed the road in response to Armenia's "illegal activities" in the region.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought two conflicts over Azerbaijan's Armenian-populated area of Nagorno-Karabakh, one in 2020 and one in the 1990s.

Six weeks of violence in the autumn of 2020 claimed over 6,500 lives and ended with a ceasefire accord sponsored by Russia. Russia sent 2,000 peacekeepers to monitor the truce, but tensions remain despite a ceasefire deal.