France has fulfilled its duty to Armenia - Emmanuel Macron

ArmInfo.  French President Emmanuel Macron believes that Paris has fulfilled its duty to Yerevan by providing support during difficult times.

"Since the fall of 2022, I have not forgotten anything from that  night. Only two years have passed since the start of the war. The  situation was very unstable, and you showed great courage because you  made a decision for your country. But I want to say one simple thing.  First of all, France, in such moments, I am convinced, fulfilled its  duty. True, many in Europe and beyond did not understand why we  unconditionally supported Armenia," Macron said in his toast at the  anniversary dinner hosted by the Armenian leadership.

The French leader further acknowledged that following the four-party  meeting in Prague on October 6, 2022, when Armenian Prime Minister  Nikol Pashinyan recognized Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, he was  virtually excluded from all subsequent meetings with President Aliyev  until the conflict was resolved. The meeting then included Nikol  Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Macron, and  then-President of the European Council Charles Michel.

"Now the situation has been resolved and, fortunately, calmed down.  But if we were with you then to say all this, it was because it was  just. It was just. And throughout history, the struggle waged by your  country, your people, has always been a just struggle: against  genocide, against invasions, and in these difficult moments, against  threats to your territorial integrity and sovereignty. The idea of  peace that we share is to be on the side of these just battles, where  the international order is defended. Even when it is not in our  interests at the moment, even when prudent approaches dictate turning  a blind eye and looking the other way, even when many were counting  on cubic meters of gas or the benefits of more favorable contracts  with other powers," the French leader continued.

According to him, France is honored to stand with those countries  that have never betrayed them and to stand on the side of the just  struggle.

He also thanked the Armenian side for presenting him with the Order  of Glory of the Republic of Armenia.  "I consider the awards I  received today a great honor and simply want to say that they are an  important milestone in this history that binds us. Because it was  you, because it was us. This is the bond between Armenia and France.  That is why your choice-the choice of complete independence, peace,  stability in this unstable region, Europe, and prosperity-is a choice  we support. Because we again consider them fair, because we consider  them beneficial for your country, because we believe they meet the  demands of the moment, the geopolitical and strategic coherence that  Armenia and Europe need. And because we want to be part of this  journey," he added.

Macron also emphasized that the strategic partnership agreement,  which will be signed on May 5, is the result of the defensive efforts  Yerevan and Paris have been making in recent years. He said this  agreement will open new economic pages between the two countries and  strengthen educational, linguistic, and cultural ties. "You have  chosen a peaceful and prosperous Armenia in Europe. And it is this  Armenia, in all its manifestations, that bears our shared history. We  will always stand by you. We extend a helping hand to each other.  This is the European future you have chosen. Therefore, let me thank  you this evening for the courage you have shown in recent years,  leading your country in this region as a country of peace and  responsibility. To desire peace when under attack requires enormous  courage and bravery. And as a country that has chosen Europe, it is  now Europe's turn to demonstrate that it lives up to this choice,"  Macron concluded.