Azerbaijani military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh (19 September 2023)

France utterly condemns Azerbaijan’s launch of a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, with the use of heavy weapons, including against residential areas. Such unilateral action, which threatens the thousands of civilians already affected by months of illegal blockade and runs counter to the international community’s efforts to reach a negotiated settlement, cannot be justified under any pretext.

France calls on Azerbaijan to cease its offensive immediately and return to compliance with international law.

It will hold Azerbaijan solely responsible for the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh’s civilian populations.

France asks for an emergency convening of a United Nations Security Council meeting. It is in close consultation with its European and American partners in order for a strong response to be provided to this unacceptable offensive, commensurate with the risks it poses to the region’s security.