Members of the European Parliament (EP), at a plenary session in Strasbourg, intend to adopt a resolution on Thursday calling on EU countries to impose sanctions against Azerbaijan due to the events in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as to suspend the development of cooperation and reduce dependence on imports of Azerbaijani gas, it follows from the publication on the EP website of the draft document.
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European Parliament resolutions on foreign policy issues are not legally binding, but other European institutions must listen to the opinions of MEPs.
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“The European Parliament calls on the EU and member states to introduce targeted sanctions against individuals in the Azerbaijani government responsible for numerous ceasefire violations and human rights violations in Nagorno-Karabakh,” the resolution states.
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MPs also plan to call on “the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy to suspend negotiations on updating the partnership agreement with Azerbaijan until Azerbaijan demonstrates a genuine willingness to respect the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.” Otherwise, MPs “call on the EU and member states to consider suspending the application of the agreement on visa facilitation and reducing the level of cooperation with this country in other areas.”
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The European Parliament also intends to call on the EU to “reduce the EU’s dependence on gas from Azerbaijan,” and in the event of deepening tensions in relations between Baku and Armenia, to “completely stop importing oil and gas” from Azerbaijan.
