Lacote commented on Aliyev's statement about "return of Yerevan"

French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacote commented on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's announcement on "return of Yerevan".

"France is against such statements and condemns any speech that may have a negative impact on the negotiation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan", said Lacote during press conference in Yerevan.

Earlier French Foreign Ministry responded to Aliyev's statement. "France continues to fully participate in seeking a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict through discussions. We call upon the conflict sides to work diligently in this direction, particularly in refraining from any kind of statements and actions that can escalate the tension."

Aliyev's desires have been severely criticized by the international community. The President of Armenia called Aliyev's words a delusion. Aliyev's assistant also stated that he "would return Karabakh in a week".