Macron to meet Aliyev to address the situation of Armenian prisoners
ANF
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he will address the situation of Armenian prisoners in a meeting with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev following the European Political Community Summit.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Sunday evening in Yerevan that he would meet with Ilham Aliyev to raise the issue of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.
Macron noted that he would establish contact with Aliyev after the European Political Community (EPC) summit and emphasized that France would “continue to maintain its role as a mediator” between Baku and Yerevan. When asked by an Armenian journalist what the international community could do to secure the release of the prisoners, Macron replied: “Negotiation!”
The French leader said he would also meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, adding, “Immediately after this trip, I will also have a meeting with President Aliyev.”
Following his participation in the EPC summit in Yerevan, Macron is expected to carry out a state visit lasting until Tuesday evening.
Bringing together most European countries and held twice a year, the EPC gathers leaders of both EU member and non-member states. Russia and Belarus are not part of this platform.
Macron noted that tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan have decreased and that “a new phase has begun,” adding, “It is very important to support this process in order to strengthen peace and stability. Our role is to do everything we can to improve the situation.”
Armenia and Azerbaijan had signed an agreement in Washington in August 2025 under the auspices of Donald Trump, aimed at ending their decades-long territorial dispute.
The Nagorno-Karabakh region, which lies at the center of the conflict between the parties, came to the forefront following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the wars in 2020. Azerbaijan regained control of the region in 2023 through a short military operation.
