France says it regrets Azerbaijan’s establishment of a checkpoint at the entrance to the new Lachin Corridor road, arguing the move breaches commitments made under the ceasefire agreements and jeopardizes the Yerevan-Baku negotiation process.

The French Foreign Ministry has called on Azerbaijan to comply with its international obligations, particularly to implement the provisional measures indicated by the International Court of Justice in its order of 22 February, which are binding.

The order calls for the free movement of property, people and goods to be restored along the Lachin Corridor, in both directions, and for the population to be continuously supplied with gas and electricity.

In response, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said France's statement is "groundless".

"It is the sovereign and legal right of Azerbaijan to establish a border crossing point in its sovereign territory. There is no basis to claim that this step contradicts the tripartite declaration or other international document and court decision," said a ministry spokesperson.

Photo: AFP