Mr President,

I extend to you and the whole people of Azerbaijan my sincerest congratulations as well as best wishes for peace, prosperity and progress on the occasion of the national day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

As the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries approaches, our firm and long-term bilateral relations have been significantly strengthened. During our last telephone conversation on January 14 this year we wanted to breath new life into our bilateral relations. In the same spirit of openness and sincerity, you received French Minister of State Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne who visited Baku on January 25.

Six months after the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, which put an end to the deadly fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, comprehensive work must be continued to pave the way for a lasting peace on the ground. This entails ensuring, in particular, peaceful delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the reunion of prisoners of war with their relatives. It is also important to preserve the entire diversity of the region. In this regard, I recommend that you should facilitate the organization of a mission proposed by UNESCO.

I am aware of your personal commitment to the quality of our bilateral relations. I share this with you and I wish that together we can use the great potential for the development, especially in the fields of economy, culture and education. Our bilateral projects in Azerbaijani-French University`s example or with the French Development Agency, which have been developing positively in recent years, are the achievements that allow us to strengthen our friendship on a daily basis and look towards the future with confidence. We must continue this ambition.

In conclusion, I assure you that France will continue to fulfill all its obligations as a co-chair of the Minsk Group to establish a high-level dialogue under the auspices of France, and that a source of a just, lasting peace and shared prosperity can be achieved between your country and Armenia.

Mr President, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Emmanuel Macron

President of the French Republic