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France regrets the latest incidents on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the Azerbaijani attacks on U.S.-affiliated smelting plant under construction in the Armenian border village of Yeraskh.

Two construction workers, identified as Indian nationals Muhammad Asif and Mirhasan Sahajan, were injured in cross-border fire from nearby Azerbaijani positions on Wednesday, Armenia’s Defense Ministry said.

“France deplores the clashes that occurred at several sections of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past 48 hours, including the shootings at civilians in Yeraskh on Armenian territory. We call for restraint, de-escalation and the protection of civilian populations,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The country reaffirmed its support for the full implementation of the 22 February 2023 order of the International Court of Justice for Azerbaijan to restore unhindered movement along the Lachin Corridor, as well as its committed to peace in the region.

The ministry highlighted the talks between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President lham Aliyev together with President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President of the European Council Charles Michel held in Chisinau on June 1.

“The meeting demonstrated a determination to make progress on various issues under discussion, which must be resolved exclusively through negotiations.

“French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna also visited Armenia and Azerbaijan in April to help the two countries move towards a peace agreement. These efforts are being conducted in close coordination with the European Union and the United States,” reads the statement.