AiBot
Baku, Azerbaijan – In a move that has raised concerns over the fragile relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, the Azerbaijani government has suspended all cooperation with the European Parliament in response to a resolution passed on Thursday “supporting democratic resilience in Armenia”.
The resolution, which was approved by the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, calls for Azerbaijan to release imprisoned Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, including former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, and to uphold the rights of displaced Armenians. Azerbaijan has long maintained that it has acted within its rights to detain individuals involved in the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
According to a statement issued by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the decision to suspend cooperation with the European Parliament was made in response to the “interference” in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs. The ministry accused the European Parliament of attempting to “dictate” Azerbaijan’s policy towards its neighbors and undermine its sovereignty.
In a separate statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced that Ambassador Marijana Kujundžić, the EU’s ambassador to Baku, had been summoned to the ministry for a meeting. The content of the meeting was not disclosed, but it is understood that the meeting was tense and that Ambassador Kujundžić was urged to convey the Azerbaijani government’s concerns to Brussels.
The move is likely to further strain relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, which has been a key partner of Azerbaijan in energy and economic development. The EU has long been a vocal supporter of Armenia and has called for greater transparency and accountability in Azerbaijan’s treatment of minority groups.
In a statement, European Parliament officials expressed disappointment at Azerbaijan’s decision, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the European Parliament and the Azerbaijani parliament. Officials emphasized that the European Parliament’s resolution was aimed at promoting democratic values and human rights, and that it was not intended to take sides in the conflict.
The escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and the European Union are likely to have far-reaching implications for regional stability and cooperation. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Azerbaijan and the EU can find a way to resolve their differences and restore cooperation on key issues.