Day: January 19, 2023

On January 18, the European Parliament adopted a document against Azerbaijan at the initiative of a group of deputies. In that document defending the position of Armenian separatists, Azerbaijan was requested to open the road to Lachin. The document criticized the activity of the Russian military contingent in the region and stated the need to replace it with peacekeeping forces of the OSCE. Are there peacekeeping forces of the OSCE? There is another contradiction in the document, Azerbaijan was urged not to "disrupt the transport, energy and communication relations" of Armenia with the Armenians in Karabakh.

This is contrary to the principles adopted by Europe itself. Because the communication lines that the European Parliament talked about were built in violation of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and laws. These lines of communication should be adapted to the laws of Azerbaijan. It's like a French province transporting gas and electricity from Germany without the permission of Paris.

It is interesting that the European Parliament does not respect its decisions. About 4 years ago, in December 2018, the European Parliament adopted a resolution "On the common policy of the European Union in the field of foreign policy and security". The document emphasized the need to settle frozen conflicts in the territory of partner countries in accordance with the norms and principles of international law. In addition, the resolution called to strengthen support for people displaced from their homelands as a result of the conflict, and to prevent the intervention of third parties in order to destabilize the situation in the territory of the partner countries. In other words, that resolution supported the solution of the actual Karabakh issue within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. None of the clauses of the new document state that Armenians living in Karabakh should obey the laws of Azerbaijan and should not allow provocations against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Our diplomats should bring the contradiction between the two resolutions of the European Parliament to the attention of the European deputies. One emphasized the importance of resolving the conflict within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and the other expressed support for separatism. Let them explain how the same institution can accept two contradictory documents? The European Parliament said no to the Catalans who wanted to be independent a few years ago, supported the territorial integrity of Spain, its partners also support the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, and when it comes to Azerbaijan, they support the Armenian separatists who are affiliated to Russia, which they accept sanctions. Our diplomats should demand an explanation from those who accepted a document against Azerbaijan in the European Parliament.

"Atlas" Research Center