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French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France is making maximum efforts to restore humanitarian access to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), ARMENPRESS reports.

In an interview with Le Point newspaper, Macron said France is doing everything possible in order for Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach an agreement allowing lasting peace.

Asked to specify what actions his administration is taking in response to the Azeri blockade, described by the former ICC chief prosecutor as genocide through starvation, Macron said, “Our diplomacy is clear, but now is not the time for diplomacy. I regret and condemn this blockade. We’ve always said that we support the sovereignty of peoples. The Nagorno-Karabakh issue is a complicated matter. I can’t repeat the strongest positions expressed over this issue. France has unambiguously condemned the 2020 war and has organized numerous humanitarian actions. Today we are doing everything possible in order for an agreement to be found between Armenia and Azerbaijan that would allow to establish lasting peace and protection of peoples and cultures. This peace treaty is a necessity, but it must comply with international law."

Again asked on international experts’ conclusion that the Azeri actions constitute genocide, Macron said, “I’d refrain from using that wording so quickly. We are dealing with an unacceptable humanitarian situation, especially around Lachin Corridor. France’s role is to maintain the current pressure for humanitarian access and we are making our maximum efforts in this direction. In particular, we continue to present initiatives so that food and medication gets delivered to Nagorno-Karabakh and that free access gets maintained. Besides, today the state borders of Armenia are also threatened.”