European Parliament Criticizes Turkey's Destabilizing Role in Nagorno-Karabakh

On January 20, the European Parliament adopted the annual reports-resolutions on the "Common Foreign and Security Policy" (CFSP) and the "Common Security and Defense Policy" (CSDP). The first report specifically addresses the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

According to Armenpress, the resolution acknowledges the trilateral statement made by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia on November 9 concerning the cessation of military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. It strongly criticizes the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, the use of cluster munitions, and calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The Parliament also emphasized that a lasting resolution is still not found, and the process for determining the future legal status of the region must be carried out under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group and based on its fundamental principles. It has been noted that the security of the Armenian population and Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh must be ensured, as well as the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their former places of residence.

Additionally, the resolution calls for a proper investigation of all war crimes and accountability of those responsible. In a specific 38th point of the resolution, the European Parliament severely criticized Turkey's destabilizing role, which further undermines the fragile stability in the South Caucasus. Turkey is called upon to refrain from any interference in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including offering military assistance to Azerbaijan, and to withdraw from its destabilizing actions and actively promote peace.

The transfer of foreign terrorist fighters by Turkey from Syria and other places to Nagorno-Karabakh has also been criticized. In a separate paragaraph regarding Nagorno-Karabakh in the "Annual Report on the Implementation of the Common Security and Defense Policy - 2020", it is stated: "The European Parliament welcomes the cessation of military operations in the NK conflict zone." It then expresses concern over the military involvement of third countries in the conflict, particularly Turkey's intervention and destabilizing role, calling for an international investigation into the presence of foreign fighters, the use of cluster munitions, and phosphorus bombs.

The EU and international organizations are urged not to allow impunity for war crimes in NK and the use of prohibited weapons in the NK conflict, emphasizing the necessity of allowing humanitarian assistance to reach those affected, promptly executing prisoner and casualty exchanges, and preserving the cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In the "Annual Report on the Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - 2020" (CFSP), there is a call for the EU to undertake strategic responsibility for its neighborhood and to play a more timely, proactive, and effective role in mediation and peaceful resolution of ongoing tensions and conflicts and preventing future escalations. Alongside other frameworks, firm support for the OSCE Minsk Group has been reaffirmed, emphasizing that cooperation with the neighboring countries of the Eastern Partnership and the EU should be a priority for the EU's common foreign and security policy, given the essential impact of these countries on development and democratization.

The European Commission and the European External Action Service are called upon, among other priorities, to strengthen people-to-people contacts, including through the simplification and liberalization of visa regimes, once all conditions are met.