French President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated France’s unwavering support for Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity following a US-mediated agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at normalizing relations; in a statement issued after speaking with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on August 8, Macron welcomed the progress achieved during talks in Washington, crediting the United States’ commitment to facilitating the agreement; he expressed hope that the accord would swiftly pave the way for the signing and ratification of a peace treaty that safeguards the interests of both nations; “I reaffirmed in this context my full support for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia,” Macron said, underscoring France’s continued commitment to peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus; the French leader also noted his country’s readiness to contribute to ongoing peace efforts, including strengthening regional interconnections in cooperation with all regional actors and partners; Macron and Pashinyan agreed to continue deepening bilateral relations across all areas, building on the Armenian leader’s visit to Paris on July 14.