French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Azerbaijan to respect the 2020 Artsakh war ceasefire and allow the free movement of people and vehicles along the Lachin Corridor.

Macron, according to his office, spoke by telephone with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on December 23, 2022, expressing his deep concerns about the renewed tension in the South Caucasus.

Macron spoke of the urgency of guaranteeing the unhindered access of humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies to the affected populations.

President Aliyev, according to the Elysée Palace statement, said his intention is to ensure free movement along the corridor. 

Regarding Azerbaijan's concerns about the illegal exploitation of minerals in the region, the two presidents noted the importance of respecting the standards in force. 

Finally, the two presidents agreed to continue, in conjunction with the actors concerned, negotiations in order to find a lasting political solution in the region and will talk to each other again in the coming weeks.