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French President Emmanuel Macron demanded that Azerbaijan withdraw its troops from Armenia’s sovereign territory when he met with caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Paris on Tuesday.

"This working visit is taking place at a crucial time for Armenia, which is facing a serious crisis threatening its security," Macron said in the Élysée Palace.

He said more than 6 months have passed since the November 9 statement on the ceasefire, adding while the ceasefire is generally respected in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), much remains to be done and France is ready to support this process. Macron called for the release of all detained persons, including prisoners of war (POWs) and other detainees. He also called for efforts towards the preservation of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"As a co-chair of the Minsk Group, together with the United States and Russia, France is obliged to do everything possible to achieve de-escalation and resume dialogue, including direct dialogue between the parties," the French leader said.

Macron reflected on the recent Azerbaijan incursion into the sovereign territory of Armenia.

"I would like to speak about the recent acts of violence on the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As I said on May 13, the delimitation of the borders between the two countries must take place exclusively through negotiations, without the use of force. The Azerbaijani troops must leave the sovereign territory of Armenia. I urge both sides to return to the positions held by them on May 11,” Macron said.

The president said France stands with Armenia as always.

In the humanitarian sphere, France has provided assistance to Armenia, contacts have been established between various hospitals, and exceptional support has been provided to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which provides communication between Armenian POWs being held in Azerbaijan and their families.

Macron hailed good economic cooperation between Armenia and France in a number of areas, the aim of which is to accompany Armenia in the development of those infrastructures, prioritizing the fulfillment of its commitments undertaken in the fight against global warming.

"We stand in solidarity with Armenia and will continue to do so. Amid these trials, France is determined to work towards the restoration of peace in the region,” he said.