France Warns Azerbaijan About Threats to Armenia's Territorial Integrity

On Wednesday, October 4, the French Foreign Minister stated in a parliamentary session that Paris is not seeking to escalate the crisis but that continuing the sale of defensive weapons to Yerevan while 'Azerbaijan has never ceased to use its armament for aggressive actions' is natural. Catherine Colonna said the European Union must send a clear signal that any attempt to threaten Armenia's territorial integrity is unacceptable. She added, 'I reiterate that any action in this regard will have severe repercussions.' Meanwhile, Armenia announced on Wednesday that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will attend the meeting in Granada, Spain, despite reports of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's non-participation in the planned negotiations with EU leaders. Russian news agency Interfax quoted Pashinyan as expressing regret over the lost opportunity to talk with Aliyev and stated he was ready to sign a document for 'opening' peace negotiations between the two countries. According to Reuters, citing Azerbaijan's state news agency, Aliyev has decided not to participate in the EU-mediated event in Spain, where he could have spoken with Pashinyan. However, Baku has not officially confirmed or denied Aliyev's decision so far. The five-way meeting of leaders from France, Germany, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, in Spain. Prior to the Azerbaijani state news report, it was said that the meeting would discuss the future of the Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijan's military operations to reclaim it. The Nagorno-Karabakh region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan's territory, but Armenians make up the majority of its population. Meanwhile, reports indicate that over 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh have fled the region out of fear for their lives and gone to Armenia. Armenian officials have labeled what has happened in Nagorno-Karabakh as 'ethnic cleansing' by Azerbaijan, an accusation that Baku denies. Azerbaijani officials have also stated that they guarantee the safety of Armenians in the region. Reports also indicated that the five-way talks in Spain were to address peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Armenian officials have claimed that Azerbaijan intends to attack Armenia following its capture of Nagorno-Karabakh and have urged Europe to intervene to prevent this action. Ilham Aliyev, earlier in October in Nakhchivan alongside his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, referred to the prospect of creating a land route between the two countries through Armenia. He stated that former Soviet officials gave part of what he claims should have been Azerbaijani territory to Armenia. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's state news agency reported that Aliyev requested Turkey's presence at the Spain meeting, but France and Germany opposed it. Turkey is not an EU member and has been a main supporter of Baku in its disputes with Armenia. According to Reuters, Azerbaijan's state news agency also cited anonymous sources stating that Baku feels a 'hostile atmosphere' against it among potential participants in the meeting. The state news agency specifically mentioned Baku's dissatisfaction with Charles Michel's statement and what it described as 'pro-Armenian statements' from French officials, as well as France's decision to send military equipment to Yerevan. Catherine Colonna met with Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan on Tuesday, October 3. This was the first visit by a minister from a Western government to the country since Azerbaijan regained control over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry condemned what it called 'baseless' remarks by Colonna. The French Foreign Minister had expressed support for Armenia and its territorial integrity in Yerevan. The Armenian envoy to the EU called for 'decisive action' from the West against Azerbaijan. Armenia has requested assistance from the EU; the UN reports that 100,000 people have fled to Armenia. Azerbaijani forces arrested the former leader of the separatist government of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian Prime Minister stated that 'ethnic cleansing' is ongoing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan claims it does not seek the emigration of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. Aliyev claimed during his meeting with Erdoğan that part of Armenia should have been part of Azerbaijan.