French President Emmanuel Macron received Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Elysee Palace Thursday and discussed with him the need to reach a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, the Elysee Palace said in a statement.

Macron called for the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan as soon as possible—and for the benefit of all the peoples of the region.

Also, he reaffirmed France's determination to support Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the Armenian people's quest for peace and democracy.

In this context, he reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing discussions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the aim of quickly reaching a peace treaty—and strictly in accordance with international law and in the interests of all the peoples of the region, the Elysee Palace statement adds.

In addition, Macron and Pashinyan agreed to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation between France and Armenia.