France hails Azerbaijan-Armenia steps toward peace, urges final deal

Azerbaijan and Armenia have taken important and decisive steps over the past year to make peace a tangible reality for their peoples, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said in a statement marking the first anniversary of the Washington Summit held on August 8, 2025.

"August 8, 2026, marks the first anniversary of the historic agreement aimed at normalising relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Over the past year, the authorities of both countries have taken important and bold steps to make peace a tangible reality for their peoples," the statement said, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

France said it hopes the process will continue with the signing and ratification of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the opening of borders and expansion of regional transport links.

According to Confavreux, these steps could help transform the South Caucasus into a hub for regional and international cooperation.

France hopes that "the South Caucasus can once again become a space for full-fledged cooperation and a bridge between Europe and Asia."

Confavreux added that France, together with its European partners, would continue to actively support the peace process while fully respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia.

By Sabina Mammadli