On March 19, 2013 a group of French politicians, members of the Parliament and senators representing the main political forces, announced creation of the Circle of Friendship with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh).

They issued a special statement, appreciating the consistent efforts of the people and authorities of Artsakh on building free and democratic society and calling to put an end to political isolation of the Republic and expressing support for the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh.

The members of the Circle are: First Deputy Mayor of Marseille Roland Blum, Mayor of Vienne Jacques Remiller, MPs Valerie Boyer, Rene Rouquet, Guy Teissier, Francois Rochebloine, Senators Sophie Joissains, Philippe Marini, Bernard Fournier, former MPs Georges Colombier and Richard Mallie. The members of the Circle call on other French politicians to join the initiative.

The text of the declaration is below;

1. Taking as a basis the absolute importance of freedoms and democratic principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

2. Supporting the right to self-determination of all peoples including those of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh);

3. Acknowledging the necessity of establishing lasting peace and maintaining stability in the South Caucasus;

4. Supporting the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship aimed at a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict and the efforts of France in this direction;

5. Welcoming the consistent efforts of the people and government of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic towards creating and developing a free and democratic society,

6. Being confident that the isolation of the people of Artsakh from the international processes does not contribute to the establishing dialogue between peoples and stable peace;

We, politicians, members of parliament and senators of the French Republic declare decision to establish a Circle of Friendship with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artaskh).