French Ambassador: We should find negotiated and mutually acceptable solution (video)
French Ambassador to Armenia Jean-François Charpentier does not share the opinion that the resolution of the Karabakh conflict has recently come out of the control of the OSCE Minsk Group and is now regulated by Russia. “The OSCE Minsk Group is a well-known structure. Not a single structure or organization has recognized the Minsk group as invalid. The OSCE Minsk Group continues to exist, with its three co-chairing countries working in harmony with each other. The mediators plan to visit the region next week. France, as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country, is committed to resolving the conflict by finding a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution,” Jean-François Charpentier said. The ambassador also spoke about the recent protests in Armenia against the pending increase in electricity prices, the June 23 crackdown by law enforcement agencies on demonstrators on Baghramyan Avenue, as well as the reported cases of violence used by police officers against protesters and journalists. The ambassador said he could not comment events concerning Armenia’s internal political life. At the same time he stressed that he treats protests over social problems quite normally as they show public dissatisfaction with certain issues. “We closely followed the events in Yerevan which were covered extensively in the French press. The protests appear to have mitigated. Anyway, everything should be done to normalize the situation as quickly as possible. As for the police, I must say that their actions were normal. Rallies are held in all democratic countries and in that way people show their disagreement and discontent. And it is normal that law enforcement agencies intervene to maintain public order,” Jean-François Charpentier said.
