France and the United States did not demand return of Hadrut and Shushi to Artsakh

On November 11, information was circulated on social networks and in the media, according to which France has raised the issue of Hadrut and other settlements that are part of Nagorno Karabakh.

Some users also claimed that as co-chairs of the Minsk Group, France and the United States “have demanded the immediate resumption of talks on the status of Artsakh, and the restoration of the territorial integrity of Artsakh, by withdrawing from the occupied Hadrut, Martakert, Martuni, Askeran and Shushi.”

The Fact Investigation Platform studied the official statements published by France to see whether the circulated information is true.

In reality, however, a statement issued by the Élysée Palace states that France is still studying the agreement reached between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

France has started the analysis of the terms of the agreement, and will continue active consultations with Russia to reach a lasting political solution that will protect and respect Armenia’s interests.

“The President of the Republic will soon establish contacts with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the document says.

France has also urged Turkey to stop provocations over Nagorno-Karabakh, to show restraint, and not to take actions that will undermine the possibility of a lasting agreement between the parties within the framework of the Minsk Group.

The statement also mentions projects aimed at providing humanitarian aid to Armenia.

In addition, the French Foreign Ministry has issued a statement.

According to the statement, France is studying the criteria and consequences of the agreement reached on November 10. France reiterates the demand that Turkey do not take steps that will go against the key priority of maintaining the ceasefire.

“At this difficult time, France reaffirms its wholehearted friendship with the Armenian people in light of our close human, cultural and historic ties with Armenia. In these tragic circumstances, we stand alongside it. In particular, we will work to lend it all the humanitarian support it needs,” the statement of the French Foreign Ministry reads.

Finally, the French Foreign Ministry stressed the need to resume talks between the parties on the settlement of the conflict, beyond the announced ceasefire agreement. “As co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, France will be an active participant in this effort. Discussions between the two parties must resume without delay. They must allow for the return of people displaced by the conflict in recent weeks, and for the definition of the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh,” the statement says.

In fact, France did not speak about any specific settlement or region, but only raised the issues of rights of displaced people, provision of humanitarian aid to Armenia, and the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

As for the United States, it has not yet made an official statement on the decision reached by the three countries on November 10.

Thus, the rumors that France and the United States demanded the return of Hadrut, Martuni, Shushi, and other territories currently controlled by Azerbaijan to the Armenian side do not correspond to reality.

Loosineh Voskanyan