BAKU – The European Union Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Peter Michalko, was summoned by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry and handed a formal protest note, as reported by the ministry.
Azerbaijani authorities issued the note in response to the European Parliament’s October 24 resolution on Azerbaijan, addressing human rights violations, breaches of international law, and Azerbaijan’s relations with Armenia. The resolution was passed with 453 votes in favor, 31 against, and 89 abstentions.
Azerbaijan’s Parliament condemned the resolution, calling it an “interference in its domestic affairs.” A statement from the Parliament criticized the European Parliament’s “anti-Azerbaijani stance,” describing the resolution as “a collection of claims based on disinformation, alongside unfounded accusations, threats, and demands.”
“It shows blatant disregard for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, while attempting to meddle in internal matters,” the statement declared. The Parliament further alleged that the resolution encourages Armenia’s military buildup, fostering tensions that could reignite regional conflict.
Azerbaijan’s statement also accused the European Parliament of corruption, claiming the resolution reflects “narratives from France, Armenia, and its lobbyists, effectively serving as payment for material benefits received.”
The resolution, adopted on October 24, strongly condemns repression by Azerbaijan’s regime against activists, journalists, opposition leaders, and others, including EU nationals, especially as COP29 approaches. It urges Azerbaijan to release all individuals detained for political reasons, drop politically motivated charges, and cease repression domestically and internationally.
The European Parliament argued that Azerbaijan’s human rights abuses are incompatible with hosting COP29. It calls on EU leaders, particularly Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to use COP29 as an opportunity to address Azerbaijan’s human rights record.
MEPs reminded Azerbaijan of its obligations to uphold detainee rights, ensure humane conditions, and prevent mistreatment. The resolution demands that any future EU-Azerbaijan partnership require the release of political prisoners, legal reforms, and improvements in human rights, as well as a genuine commitment to a peace agreement with Armenia that respects the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.
The resolution urges the EU to reduce dependence on Azerbaijani gas and reconsider the 2022 energy partnership agreement. The Parliament reiterated support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia, endorsing normalization based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration principles. It called for Azerbaijan’s troops to withdraw from Armenia’s territory and emphasized resolving connectivity issues with Nakhchivan while respecting Armenia’s sovereignty.
MEPs condemned any aggression or hybrid threats against Armenia, as well as external interference. They welcomed the European Peace Facility’s support for Armenia’s armed forces, encouraging further EU-Armenia cooperation in security and defense.
The European Parliament also emphasized support for the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) and urged enhanced monitoring, transparent reporting, and expanded resources for EUMA to aid conflict resolution.
The resolution advocates peace-building between Armenia and Azerbaijan, cautions Azerbaijan against any military action, and acknowledges recent progress in Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation. It further calls for an end to EU assistance that could strengthen Azerbaijan’s military capabilities.
The European Parliament demanded Azerbaijan comply with International Court of Justice orders, including facilitating the return of displaced Nagorno-Karabakh residents. It urged independent investigations into alleged abuses by Azerbaijani forces, protection of Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, and an invitation to UNESCO to inspect the region.
Lastly, the resolution condemned arbitrary arrests of EU citizens on espionage charges and rebuked Azerbaijani officials’ threats against EU representatives. Access to EU buildings is restricted for the officials concerned.
The European Parliament’s President is instructed to forward the resolution to relevant EU bodies, Azerbaijani and Armenian officials, UNESCO, OSCE, the United Nations, and the Council of Europe.
