The European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on the “situation in Azerbaijan, violations of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia”: 453 votes in favor, 31 against and 89 abstentions.
As reported, by adopting the resolution, MEPs strongly condemn the repression by the Azerbaijani authorities against opposition leaders, journalists, activists in the country and abroad.
Underlining that this pressure has particularly intensified on the eve of COP29, the EP calls for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained and arrested political prisoners, and for an end to all forms of persecution and repression. MEPs express grave concern about the climate of fear that has been created inside the country, aimed at silencing civil society.
“The ongoing human rights violations by Azerbaijan are incompatible with the holding of COP29. EU leaders, in particular European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are called upon to use COP29 as an opportunity to remind Azerbaijan of its international obligations and to meaningfully address the human rights situation in the country,” the resolution says.
The European Parliament also calls on the EU and its member states to ensure that UN climate change conferences are not held in countries with poor human rights records. In the adopted resolution, MEPs call on the EU to end its dependence on Azerbaijani gas, suspend the 2022 memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership in the energy sector, and insist that the signing of a future partnership agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan be conditional on the release of all political prisoners, legal reforms and an overall improvement in the human rights situation in the country. MEPs particularly stress that Azerbaijan must demonstrate readiness to engage in good faith in negotiations on a peace agreement with Armenia and respect the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The European Parliament reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The European Parliament strongly supports the settlement of relations between the two countries on the principles of mutual recognition of territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, in accordance with the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991.
The EP reiterates its demand for the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani army from all sovereign territory of Armenia and calls on Azerbaijan to respect the territorial integrity of Armenia.
In the adopted resolution, the European Parliament stresses that the problems related to the unblocking of communications in the region must be resolved exclusively in compliance with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia. MEPs warn that any military action against Armenia is unacceptable and will have serious consequences for the EU-Azerbaijan partnership.
“The EU must be prepared to apply sanctions against any individual or entity that threatens the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Armenia,” the resolution reads.
The resolution, welcoming the assistance provided to the Armenian armed forces from the European Peace Facility, calls for further strengthening of EU-Armenia cooperation in the field of security and defence, and condemns any military aggression, use of force or hybrid threats against Armenia.
Underlining the importance of the EU civilian mission in Armenia, the MEPs express concern about the defamatory and critical statements and campaigns emanating from Azerbaijan. In this context, the EU and its Member States are called upon to enhance and expand the mandate of the mission.
While welcoming the progress made between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the delimitation process, the resolution calls on the EU to cease any technical and financial assistance to Azerbaijan that could contribute to the strengthening of its military or security capabilities, and calls on 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 call on Azerbaijan to implement the decisions of the International Court of Justice, including the decision on the safe, unimpeded and rapid return of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The resolution calls for a comprehensive and transparent dialogue with the Armenians of Artsakh and the provision of all necessary guarantees regarding their protection, land and property rights. The document calls on the EU structures to continue to support Armenia in meeting the necessary humanitarian needs in matters related to the people expelled from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Expressing deep concern for the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh, MEPs call on the Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from further destruction, neglect or modification of the cultural, religious or historical heritage in the region and instead call for its preservation, protection and promotion of its existing rich diversity.
The MEPs insist that Azerbaijan must provide the UNESCO mission with the necessary access to Nagorno-Karabakh.
The resolution strongly condemns public insults and direct threats against elected officials of EU member states by diplomatic representatives of Azerbaijan or members of the government and parliament of Azerbaijan. In this context, the European Parliament demands that entry of Azerbaijani officials into EU structures be banned until further notice.