French envoy points out Azeri occupation of sovereign Armenian territory during Vayots Dzor visit

French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies has visited the Vayots Dzor province, describing the region as ‘strategically important’ for the country.

In a post on X, the French Ambassador stressed that parts of the province are under Azeri occupation.  

“Today I am visiting Vayots Dzor province. Vayots Dzor is located in the base section of Armenian territory partly occupied by Azerbaijan. It is a strategically important province. This is where the EU monitoring mission (EUMA) headquarters is located,” the French ambassador said on X.

He said that he met with Vayots Dzor Governor Kolya Mikayelyan to discuss the EUMA activities as well as the cooperation between the province and the French Hauts-de-France region which includes partnership in winemaking.

In September 2022, Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked invasion of Armenia, occupying parts of several provinces, including Vayots Dzor. It happened after another Azeri incursion the year before.France, among others, has called on Azerbaijan to pull back its troops but the occupation still remains.

Այսօր այցելում եմ Վայոց ձորի մարզ։

Վայոց ձորի մարզը գտնվում է Ադրբեջանի կողմից մասնակիորեն օկուպացված հայկական տարածքի հենակետային հատվածում։ Այն ռազմավարական նշանակություն ունեցող մարզ է։

Այստեղ է գտնվում ԵՄ դիտորդական առաքելության (EUMA) կենտրոնակայանը։ pic.twitter.com/E7jFCQSf9L

— Olivier Decottignies (@O_Decottignies) February 28, 2025