Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'

Citing the resolution adopted by the National Assembly, Azerbaijan's state news agency Azertac reported that the country's parliament is “guided by joint activities for the sake of peace, security and sustainable development, and promotes open, sincere and constructive dialogue based on parliamentary values ​​and common interests” in its ties with foreign parliaments and parliamentary organizations.

“Unfortunately, the European Parliament's destructive position, which denies the aforementioned principles, has become the main obstacle to the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation relations with this institution,” the resolution said.

It argued that platforms intended for cooperation with the European Parliament, namely the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly, have become an “instrument of pressure, blackmail and gross interference in our country's internal affairs.”

It noted that despite suspending all relations with the European Parliament in 2015, the National Assembly resumed cooperation based on numerous appeals and promises from the European side.

“Despite this, the European Parliament has not kept its promises and has consistently continued its anti-Azerbaijani policy, slander, and smear activities,” it added.

“Today, the European Parliament, where democratic values ​​have collapsed, corruption and bribery are deeply rooted, and which serves lobby groups and various interest groups, has become a structure where Azerbaijanophobic and Islamophobic thinking is consistently expressed.”

It also accused the European Parliament of hindering the development of Azerbaijan-EU relations, as well as opposing steps taken toward establishing long-term peace and stability in the South Caucasus region and "inciting revanchist forces."

Baku summons EU ambassador

Earlier in the day, Azerbaijan summoned the EU's ambassador and lodged a protest over the European Parliament's adoption of a resolution a day prior.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the European Parliament resolution included “unfounded and biased provisions" that “distort reality, contradict the principles of objectivity, and the obligations of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.”

"The claims in the resolution regarding the return of Armenian residents to the Karabakh region were described as completely groundless, and such calls were stated to constitute interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs," the statement said.

It added that Armenian residents left the region voluntarily despite a reintegration plan presented in 2023 in accordance with Azerbaijan's Constitution, and that statements claiming the opposite are false.

The ministry said it was noted at the meeting that calls for the release of persons of Armenian descent, presented in the resolution as "prisoners of war," are "legally unacceptable."

"It was recalled that the Azerbaijani side demonstrated a humane approach, released many prisoners, took steps towards confidence-building, and that the individuals sentenced were individuals who had committed a number of serious crimes, including terrorism, sabotage, and war crimes," it said.

The statement said allegations made regarding the "destruction of cultural and religious heritage" were rejected as "completely unfounded and unacceptable," and accused European institutions of not attaching importance to the "large-scale destruction and insult of Azerbaijan's cultural and religious heritage" during the Karabakh region's occupation.

The EU was called upon during the meeting to prevent steps that harm bilateral relations, as well as the peace and normalization process in the South Caucasus region, it added.

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted the resolution that called for the release of Armenian "prisoners of war" and to hold accountable "those responsible for the destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage."

The resolution also reiterated support for Armenian residents of Karabakh, including their "right to a safe, unimpeded and dignified return under appropriate international guarantees."