Macron reaffirms France’s support for Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process after call with Aliyev

(Horizon Weekly) – French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed France’s support for ongoing peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan following a phone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

In a message posted on X, Macron said the discussion took place as part of his consultations with regional leaders amid rising tensions in the region.

The French president expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan following recent Iranian strikes that reportedly targeted Nakhichevan, and thanked Baku for its assistance in facilitating the evacuation of French citizens.

Macron also reiterated France’s support for efforts aimed at advancing a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while noting Paris’s intention to continue dialogue with Azerbaijan to strengthen bilateral relations.

The call comes amid heightened regional tensions following a series of military developments involving Iran. On February 28, Israel and the United States carried out airstrikes on Iranian territory that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran later launched retaliatory strikes toward Israel and several Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases.

According to reports, Iran also targeted the airport in Nakhichevan with drones. Several unmanned aerial vehicles reportedly fell in surrounding areas, with one drone said to have crashed near a school. Following the incident, Iran’s ambassador to Baku, Mojtaba Demirchilou, was summoned to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry and handed a formal note of protest.