YEREVAN. Sept 16 (Interfax) - French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne has announced Paris' intention to develop cooperation with Armenia in various spheres and to support it in the peace process with Azerbaijan.
"Our partnership has been deepening in a very specific manner in all areas. We will continue to support the strengthening of strategic infrastructure, especially in the fields of energy and management of water resources," Sejourne said at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday.
Paris will continue to support Armenia in various spheres, including in the peace process with Azerbaijan and on European platforms, he said.
He also said France would disburse 29 million euros for displaced Karabakh residents in Armenia.
"The observation mission [the European Union Mission in Armenia] should continue its activity. The presence of observers is crucial for risk reduction and higher transparency," Sejourne said.
Defense cooperation will continue, he said. "Armenia must be able to defend its territory and population. We are doing this with respect for sovereignty and without seeking an escalation," he said.
He assumed that Yerevan and Baku can reach peace before the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, also known as COP29, to be hosted by Baku on November 11-22, 2024.
"As Azerbaijan will soon be hosting COP29, it's their responsibility to show that they [Azerbaijan] want to achieve peace before COP29," Sejourne said.