French National Assembly unanimously adopts resolution calling for  sanctions against Azerbaijan

ArmInfo.France's National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution in support of Armenia and calling for sanctions against Azerbaijan, which was also  condemned for its attack and violation of Armenia's sovereign  territory, asbarez.com reports. 

This follows a similar action by the French Senate, which on November  15 also called on France and the European Union to consider sanctions  against Baku.

With the resolution, the National Assembly condemned, in the  strongest terms, the military aggression of Azerbaijan on September  13 and 14 against the southern and southeastern regions of the  Republic of Armenia, in violation of its sovereignty.

The National Assembly called for an end to the military occupation by  Azerbaijan of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and  for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces.  It urges strict compliance with the terms of the trilateral  statements of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021.

The lawmakers also called on the French government to work within the  United Nations and consider the deployment of an international force  capable of ensuring the end to hostilities in the South Caucasus and  the safety of civilian populations and emphasized France's important  role in the Security Council to endorse an agreement of the parties  concerned on the deployment of such a force.

The lower house of the Parliament called on the French government, in  consultation with the European Union and the United States, to take  any diplomatic initiative likely to promote the development of a  lasting peace treaty between the Republic of Armenia and Azerbaijan.  It also calls on the Government to intensify efforts at the level of  the European Union in order to adopt a common position aimed at  promoting the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and the  Republic of Armenia.

In this regard, the lawmakers welcomed the establishment of a  European Union civilian mission aimed at restoring confidence,  stabilizing the situation on the ground and contributing to the work  of the boundary commissions of the Republic of Armenia and  Azerbaijan. They also commended the deployment of an assessment  mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to  Armenia, at the request of the government in Yerevan.

The National Assembly called for due respect for the territorial  sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Armenia and urged an  immediate and unconditional release and repatriation of all Armenian  prisoners of war.

The resolution also called on the French government to mobilize so  that an international and independent investigation can be conducted  into the abuses allegedly committed by the Azerbaijani armed forces  against Armenian soldiers and civilians. It also invited, for this  purpose, the Republic of Armenia to join the International Criminal  Court in order to fight against impunity.

Members of the Assembly called on the government to consider imposing  personal economic sanctions, should the attacks and occupation of the  sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia continue.

It advised stakeholders, the Minsk Group, the International Alliance  for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas and the United  Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to do  their utmost to preserve, in a sustainable way, the Armenian cultural  and religious heritage in the areas under Azerbaijani control.

The bill also called for an increase in France's support for the  Republic of Armenia, particularly with regard to humanitarian aid,  and to study the strengthening of its defense capacities.

Finally, the National Assembly emphasized its unwavering commitment  to the search for lasting peace, which alone will ensure security and  stability in the South Caucasus.