MEPs, in adopting reports by Željana Zovko (EPP, Croatian) and Andrey Kovachev (EPP, Bulgarian) on Azerbaijan and Armenia on Wednesday 15 March, called on Yerevan and Baku to work on a comprehensive and mutually acceptable peace treaty to end their territorial dispute.
“A durable and sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot be achieved through military means and the threat of force, but requires a comprehensive political settlement in accordance with international law”, MEPs stress in the reports.
In their view, an effective comprehensive peace treaty must include provisions that guarantee the integrity of Armenia’s sovereign territory, the rights and security of the Armenian population residing in Nagorno-Karabakh and other conflict-affected areas, as well as the safe and swift return of all refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes.
The European Parliament stresses the need to advance discussions on the future peace treaty, to address the root causes of the conflict and to refrain from actions that could lead to further escalation.
It also calls on the EU to make a continued commitment to mediate and contribute effectively to the peaceful resolution of the conflict. In this context, MEPs welcome the establishment of the Common Security and Defence Policy mission in Armenia, calling on Azerbaijan to allow its presence on its side of the border.
MEPs also strongly condemn the latest large-scale military aggression by Azerbaijan in September 2022 and the blockade of the Lachin corridor by the Azerbaijani authorities, calling on them to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor.
Armenia. Beyond the conflict between the two countries, Parliament welcomes, in its report on Armenia (adopted by 534 votes to 10 with 66 abstentions), the full entry into force of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the reforms carried out by the country and the “thorough democratisation process” it has undertaken. They call on the EU and Armenia to work closely on the implementation of the reforms under the agreement.
The report recognises Yerevan’s fight against crime and corruption and encourages the government to continue implementing reforms to strengthen democratic institutions, the Rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
MEPs also raise concerns about the country’s polarised media environment, violence against journalists and “incessant” Russian disinformation campaigns. They call on the Armenian government to refrain from measures that restrict freedom of expression and freedom of the media and to combat foreign interference.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/5ss
Azerbaijan. On Azerbaijan, MEPs are alarmed in their report (adopted by 475 votes to 35 with 76 abstentions) at the country’s “very negative” human rights record, citing continued violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Parliament warns that this record needs to be improved before the EU deepens its political and energy partnership with the country.
While noting the progress made in the ongoing negotiations since 2017 on a new partnership agreement, MEPs insist that human rights, the Rule of law, democracy and good governance must be given priority in the discussions.
They are also concerned about the lack of independence and efficiency of the judiciary and the limited progress in preventing and fighting corruption.
Parliament also calls on the EU Council to consider the possibility of applying targeted individual sanctions against Azerbaijani officials who have committed serious human rights violations.
It also recognises the increasingly important role of Azerbaijan as a potential energy supplier to the EU.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/5st (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)