The Council of Paris has adopted a resolution calling on the government of France to recognize the independence of Artsakh.
Considering the mobilization of French elected officials who call for the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, including a group of parliamentarians from different political parties, who tabled on October 19, 2020 a “Motion for a resolution on the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh”,
Considering that on September 27, 2020, a military offensive was initiated by Azerbaijan, politically and militarily supported by Turkey, with the use of jihadist fighters from Syria,
Considering that following air strikes by the armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dozens of civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh were injured and killed and that 80% of the urban infrastructure of Stepanakert, including school and hospital facilities, was largely destroyed,
Considering the humanitarian situation and all the victims in the region,
Considering that despite calls from France, mediator in this conflict as co-chair of the Minsk Group, for the immediate cessation of hostilities from their start, the situation has become increasingly critical and that on several occasions ceasefires were declared and all were violated within an hour of their declaration,
Considering that a ceasefire was concluded on November 9 under the aegis of Russia, which France was not invited to sign,
Considering that under the ceasefire agreement, the two armies remained on the positions occupied on that date to the detriment of the Armenian people and the population of Nagorno-Karabakh,
Considering that despite the presence of a Russian intervention force, Nagorno-Karabakh is threatened in its very existence,
Considering that the Mayor of Paris has spoken on several occasions to call for an end to the violence and to recall the support of the City of Paris for the Armenian people wherever they live,
Considering that the relations of friendship between the City of Paris and the Armenian people are old and unwavering, that they were reminded to the Armenian authorities by our colleague Anouch Toranian, who accompanied an observation mission of the UGBU Europe at the height of the fighting,
Considering that the City of Paris has a tradition of supporting populations who are victims of massive human rights violations,
Considering that the City of Yerevan is a member of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF),
Considering that it appears crucial for the City of Paris to provide support to the residents of Nagorno Karabakh,
The Council of Paris expresses the wish:
- That the Mayor of Paris send a letter to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, inviting France to recognize the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh),
- That the French Government, lifting the ban on territorial communities maintaining relations with Nagorno-Karabakh, authorize them to cooperate with Nagorno-Karabakh in the context of humanitarian aid,
- So that the City of Paris can provide emergency humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh through an on-site operator in order to come to the aid of the populations who are victims of the conflict as closely as possible,
- That the City of Paris provide aid in the amount of € 50,000 to the population of Nagorno-Karabakh as well as to the displaced persons who fled it to take refuge in the Republic of Armenia. This assistance, provided through the Armenian Fund of France, is added to the € 50,000 provided through the Paris-based International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), to Yerevan.
