Baku, Azerbaijan – Azerbaijan summoned the European Union’s ambassador to protest a European Parliament resolution criticizing Baku’s treatment of Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The resolution also calls for the release of Armenian detainees it describes as prisoners of war.
A sharp dispute with the European Parliament
The European resolution condemned what it deemed the “unjust detention” of Armenian prisoners of war
and detainees, calling for their immediate release.
It also affirmed its support for the rights of Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region
and demanded accountability for those responsible for the destruction of cultural and religious heritage there.
In response, the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry rejected these accusations,
describing the resolution as “baseless and biased.” It asserted that the Armenians left the region voluntarily.
Baku maintained that the individuals designated by the European Union
as prisoners of war are accused of serious crimes, including war crimes.
It clarified that legal proceedings against them are being conducted in accordance with the law.
Diplomatic escalation and severing of relations
These developments come amid ongoing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia
over the disputed region, despite Baku’s recapture of it in 2023.
In an escalation, the Azerbaijani parliament announced it was severing ties with the European Parliament,
accusing it of waging a “smear campaign” against the country.
The parliament’s statement indicated that the European Parliament’s positions hinder the development
of bilateral relations and negatively impact efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.
This comes at a time of continued international criticism regarding the human rights situation and ongoing trials.
