On October 3, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, who is visiting Armenia. After the meeting, the ministers held a joint press conference. Below is RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan's statement to the press and the answer to the journalist's question.

"I welcome the second visit to Armenia by my good friend Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of our friendly country, France. It is a holiday that takes place in a challenging period for both RA and the Armenian society and people.

As a result of Azerbaijan's continuous use of force and anti-Armenian policy, Nagorno-Karabakh has undergone actual ethnic cleansing. More than 100,000 Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been forced to leave their historical homeland, facing ontological threats and having reasonable fears for the safety of their lives and families, including women, children, and older people. And that fear is justified not by theoretical arguments but by the large-scale military attack carried out by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh just a few days ago, on September 19, during which the civilian population and infrastructure were also targeted. We had the opportunity to talk about it and to raise the issue at the highest international level, Madam Minister, on September 21, in New York, in the format of the UN Security Council session, which was absolutely invited based on the letters submitted by France and Armenia.

Today's reality shows that the statements and efforts made by international actors were not enough to fulfill the universal commitment to prevent mass crimes and ensure the safe and dignified life of the population of Nagorno Karabakh in its homeland. I want to emphasize this because the further use of force or the threat of power due to regional developments, the deterrence of Armenia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and aspirations for democracy are ongoing challenges.

In this context, I emphasize that the Armenian side is committed to establishing regional stability. However, mutual willingness to solve all existing problems through political dialogue is critical to long-lasting peace. In addition to the expectations expressed by Armenia at the session above of the UN Security Council, these issues include the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from the sovereign territory of Armenia, the provision of maximum clarity of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in 1975. based on the map and the unblocking of regional infrastructures exclusively under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of states, in accordance with the principles of equality and reciprocity.

Of course, the settlement of issues of a humanitarian nature, such as ensuring the immediate return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, is of essential importance to us. Today, understandably, we focused on the discussion of the regional situation. But we also had the opportunity to continue our previous talks on the agenda of the Armenian-French bilateral relations, reaffirming our mutual interest and willingness to expand it, taking into account the new challenges of today.

Madam Minister, allow me to state again that the Republic of Armenia needs and strives for closer partnership and friendship with France. The same applies to interaction in international multilateral platforms with the involvement of France in various formats, including in the Armenia-European Union partnership. I want to express my gratitude for the humanitarian support provided by the French government to address the primary problems of the forcibly displaced Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh. Once again, I thank you for the discussions in a friendly atmosphere, and I pass the word on to you with love.

In addition to the answer of the French Foreign Minister, the minister gave a more than exhaustive answer to the first part of the question, and I have no idea what more detailed explanation you expect. We are discussing supporting Armenia's defense capabilities; we can limit ourselves to this. And the second part of the question. Our partners have never even put such a demand or question before us regarding the withdrawal from the CSTO.