Macron and Pashinyan meet in Paris

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron met at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on Monday.

Macron told media representatives before the meeting:

"Large-scale military operations took place on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan, causing many casualties. The territory of Armenia was targeted, civil infrastructures were destroyed. In the face of this unacceptable situation, France has assumed its commitments."

He continued:

"France, holding the presidency of the UN Security Council, convened a meeting of the Security Council where the situation was discussed twice, on September 14 and 15. The Council members demanded a speedy cessation of hostilities and respect for the ceasefire. Taking into account that there are occupied positions, France demanded that the Azerbaijani forces return to their initial positions. I told President Aliyev on September 14 that the fact that the border is not demarcated cannot justify any advance into the territory of the other country."

He added:

"In a few minutes, Prime Minister Pashinyan and I will discuss the situation on the ground, as well as how to strengthen the ceasefire to avoid a new escalation and resume negotiations. We will also touch upon a number of issues to see how France, together with the European Union and other partners, can contribute to sustainable peace."

Pashinyan calls for international observation mission

Pashinyan said before the meeting:

"As a result of the Azerbaijani occupation, the situation in our region remains tense. I think that sending an international observation mission to the regions affected by the Azerbaijani occupation and the border zone will help the international community to receive direct and not mediated information, and will also become an important factor in stabilizing the situation. I am convinced that the UN Security Council should also keep the issue in the focus, and I expect the support of the country holding the presidency on this matter."

Pashinyan said on Twitter after the meeting:

"I provided detailed information on the consequences of the Azerbaijani aggression. We referred to the steps aimed at the de-escalation of the situation and prevention of any possible aggression by Azerbaijan."