04/02/2022 (Agence Europe) – The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, held virtual talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Friday 4 February. According to a joint statement from the European Council and the Élysée Palace, Michel and Macron reaffirmed their full commitment to supporting efforts to reduce tensions and build trust in the region. The leaders also reviewed progress made since the 15 December meetings, in particular the recent releases of detainees, the ongoing joint efforts to search for missing persons and the upcoming restoration of railway tracks (see EUROPE 12854/8). “The EU and France remain committed to working with other partners, including the OSCE, to build a prosperous, safe and stable South Caucasus”, the statement said. (CG)