Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry on Friday summoned the European Union’s Ambassador to that country, Peter Michalko, and handed him a note of protest regarding a resolution adopted by the European Parliament, which condemned Azerbaijan’s threats against Armenia and called on the EU to end its energy alliance with Baku.
The European Parliament on Thursday, with an overwhelming majority, adopted a resolution https://asbarez.com/european-parliament-warns-azerbaijan-against-threats-to-armenia-urges-eu-to-halt-energy-cooperation-with-baku/ that not only compels Baku to comply with numerous rulings by the International Court of Justice, but points out Azerbaijan’s abhorrent human rights record ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit, the COP29, which will convene in Baku next month.
The Azerbaijani foreign ministry said that the continuation of what it called a “smear campaign against Azerbaijan through various institutions of the EU, statements and actions that attack the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, interfere in its internal affairs, promote revanchism in Armenia, thereby harming peace efforts in the region,” reported News.az.
“Republic of Azerbaijan builds its relations with the European Union on the basis of norms and principles of international law, mutual respect, equality and common benefit, and the other side is called upon to strictly follow these fundamental principles,” the statement added.
“We request that the European Union refrain from prejudicial steps that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, interfere in its internal affairs, and harm peace and stability in the region,” Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry said.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s parliament, labeled the European Parliament resolution an “interference with its domestic affairs.
In a statement, the Azerbaijani Parliament accused the European Parliament of “anti-Azerbaijani stance, noting that the resolution “presents a collection of claims based on disinformation along with unfounded accusations, threats, and demands.”
“It demonstrates an open disregard for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty while also attempting to interfere in its internal affairs. Furthermore, it exhibits an alarming bias by showing special concern for Armenia, encouraging its military buildup, and thus fostering revanchist tendencies that could reignite regional conflict,” the statement added.
“The European Parliament’s stance reflects a hostile attitude toward Azerbaijan’s initiatives aimed at promoting peace, stability, and cooperation both regionally and globally. The politicization and use of significant issues like climate change as tools for accusations against Azerbaijan is troubling,” the statement reads.
The Azerbaijani side also accused the European Parliament of corruption, claiming that “the resolution, which is based on false narratives from France, Armenia, and its lobbyists, essentially functions as a payment for the material gains received.”
The Azerbaijani Parliament stated that it “firmly rejects the distorting, non-objective, and one-sided resolution of the European Parliament. We assert that our parliament unequivocally supports the policy being implemented to protect our country and people’s interests, mobilizing all resources for its realization,” the statement added.