# France hails Azerbaijan pardon of French citizen as opening for better ties

https://mins.news/en/item/70939

- Reuters, 2026-09-23 16:05 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.reuters.com/world/france-hails-azerbaijans-pardon-french-citizen-opening-door-better-ties-2026-09-23/?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=6ab3f8b429ff15000114e106

> France welcomed Azerbaijan’s pardon of French citizen Martin Ryan on Wednesday, calling it a humanitarian gesture that could pave the way for improved relations. The move came hours after the EU lifted sanctions on two Russian oligarchs.

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