The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has commented on a reported incursion of Azerbaijani troops into the territory of Armenia, demanding that Azerbaijani troops be withdrawn, and asserting that France stands in solidarity with Armenia. The comments were made on Thursday evening (13 May) following a phone call between Macron and the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan. An official statement was also issued by the Elysee Palace.
Macron's comments were published in Armenian on the president’s facebook page and in French and English on the president’s twitter. In the Armenian comment on facebook the president appeared to refer to the incursion as an invasion:
Azerbaijani armed forces have crossed into Armenian territory. They must withdraw immediately. I say again to the Armenian people: France stands with you in solidarity and will continue to do so.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 13, 2021
An official statement was also issued by the Élysée Palace, affirming France’s support for Armenia’s territorial integrity, stressing the need for the immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian territory, and expressing hope that the situation can be resolved by the United Nations Security Council:
"The President of the Republic spoke by telephone with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan, this Thursday, May 13, about the current developments on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The President of the Republic recalled France's attachment to the territorial integrity of Armenia and stressed the need for an immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian territory.
"France hopes that a resolution of the situation of tensions in the region can be found through the United Nations Security Council to restore stability and security in this region."
Azerbaijan's ministry of foreign affairs has released a statement denying that Azerbaijani troops are on Armenian territory, claiming that they are strengthening their border protection system within the territory of Azerbaijan.