Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Sends Protest Note to EU Ambassador

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has delivered a protest note to EU Ambassador Piotr Michalko. The reason for the note is the "anti-Azerbaijani" resolution adopted by the European Parliament on October 24.

In the resolution, European lawmakers reaffirmed their demand for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenia's sovereign territory. The forced displacement of ethnic Armenians from Artsakh was directly labeled as ethnic cleansing.

The European Parliament adopted the resolution on the situation in Azerbaijan, human rights, violations of international law, and relations with Armenia with 453 votes in favor, 31 against, and 89 abstentions. The resolution firmly condemns the oppression of opposition leaders, journalists, and activists by Azerbaijani authorities both domestically and abroad. Noting that these pressures have intensified ahead of COP 29, the Council of Europe calls for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained and imprisoned political prisoners and an end to all forms of persecution and oppression.

Members of the European Parliament express serious concern about the atmosphere of fear created within the country, aiming to silence civil society. "Azerbaijan's continued human rights violations are incompatible with holding COP 29. EU leaders, particularly European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are urged to use COP 29 as an opportunity to remind Azerbaijan of its international obligations and to meaningfully address the state of human rights in the country," the resolution states.

The European Parliament also calls on the EU and its member states to do everything possible to prevent UN Climate Change Conferences from being hosted in countries with poor human rights records.

By the adopted resolution, members of the European Parliament demand that the EU end its dependence on Azerbaijani gas, suspend the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding regarding strategic partnership in the energy sector, and insist that the release of all political prisoners, the implementation of legal reforms, and an overall improvement in the human rights situation be prerequisites for any future partnership agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan.

European Parliament members draw special attention to the fact that Azerbaijan must show willingness to faithfully engage in peace treaty negotiations with Armenia and respect the rights of the Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh. The European Parliament reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The European Parliament firmly supports the normalization of relations between the two countries based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, in accordance with the 1991 Almaty Declaration. The Council demands that Azerbaijani forces withdraw from the entirety of Armenia's sovereign territory and calls on Azerbaijan to respect Armenia's territorial integrity.

The European Parliament emphasizes that issues concerning the unblocking of communications in the region must be resolved exclusively by respecting Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. MEPs warn that any military action against Armenia is unacceptable and will have serious consequences for EU-Azerbaijan relations.

"The EU must be prepared to impose sanctions on any individuals or organizations that threaten Armenia's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity," the resolution states. It welcomes assistance provided to the Armenian armed forces from the European Peace Facility and calls for further strengthening of Armenia-EU cooperation in the fields of security and defense, while condemning any military aggression directed at Armenia, use of force, or hybrid threats.

Highlighting the importance of the EU's civilian mission in Armenia, MEPs express their concern over defamatory and critical statements and campaigns directed against it from Azerbaijan. In this context, they urge the EU and member states to increase and extend the mission's mandate.

While welcoming progress made between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the framework of the delimitation process, the resolution calls on the EU to cease any technical and financial support to Azerbaijan that could bolster its military or security capabilities and urges member states to freeze all exports of military and security equipment to Azerbaijan.

The resolution calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to release all 23 Armenian prisoners of war. MEPs urge Azerbaijan to comply with the decisions of the International Court of Justice, including those regarding the safe, unhindered, and rapid return of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The resolution calls for a comprehensive and transparent dialogue with the Armenian population of Artsakh, providing all necessary guarantees regarding their protection, land, and property rights.

EU institutions are called upon to continue supporting Armenia in addressing the humanitarian needs of displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Expressing deep concern over the preservation of Nagorno-Karabakh's historical and cultural heritage, members of the European Parliament call on Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from further destruction, neglect, or alteration of cultural, religious, or historical heritage in the region, and instead to preserve, protect, and promote the existing rich diversity. MEPs insist that Azerbaijan must provide the necessary access for UNESCO's mission to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The resolution sternly condemns public insults and direct threats made by Azerbaijani diplomatic representatives or members of the Azerbaijani government and parliament directed at elected officials of EU member states. In this context, the European Parliament demands that Azerbaijani officials be prohibited from entering EU institutional buildings until further notice.