The recent decision adopted by the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the European Parliament is another manifestation of a principled and consistent policy based on the country’s national interests, MP Vugar Iskandarov told APA.
According to him, this decision is not accidental, but a logical result of realities formed over many years, serious problems in mutual relations, and particularly the biased stance demonstrated by the European Parliament toward Azerbaijan: “The Milli Majlis has always remained committed to the principles of peace, security, and mutual respect in international interparliamentary cooperation, but when these principles are violated unilaterally, taking adequate and principled steps becomes inevitable.”
Milli Majlis decision is a political message
Vugar Iskandarov stated that the European Parliament has long demonstrated a non-objective, selective, and politically motivated approach toward Azerbaijan: “Despite Azerbaijan’s repeated calls to end these biased approaches, the institution has continued its targeted activities against our country. In particular, the baseless accusations, distorted information, and one-sided approaches included in resolutions adopted in recent years have already taken on a systematic character, which contradicts the essence of interparliamentary dialogue. Such an approach undermines mutual trust and weakens the political environment necessary for cooperation.”
The MP noted that, in accordance with the Milli Majlis decision, the suspension of cooperation with the European Parliament in all areas, the termination of participation in the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and the initiation of procedures to end membership in the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly demonstrate how serious Azerbaijan’s position is on this issue:
“This step is also a clear message that Azerbaijan absolutely does not accept interference in its sovereignty and internal affairs and has no intention of compromising in this regard. This decision also once again brings to the agenda the importance of equal cooperation in international relations. Azerbaijan has long maintained a cautious and distant stance in relations with certain European institutions. However, the European Parliament’s failure to end its biased policy, and on the contrary, its deepening, has forced official Baku to take sharper steps. In this context, the summoning of the European Union ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the presentation of a note of protest are also an adequate diplomatic response to the developments. These steps are legitimate and justified within the framework of international law.”
Lobbying and double standards
Vugar Iskandarov said that, as emphasized by Ilham Aliyev, the European Parliament’s biased stance toward Azerbaijan is shaped by the influence of certain lobbying groups: “Most of the documents adopted in this institution are prepared under the influence of specific interest groups, which pushes objective approaches into the background. In particular, the influence of the Armenian lobby, as well as Islamophobic tendencies, are clearly reflected in decisions adopted in the European Parliament. These factors turn the European Parliament’s decisions into a political tool and seriously call their objectivity into question.”
The MP stressed that after the Second Karabakh War, the European Parliament adopted more than 10 resolutions against Azerbaijan: “Although these resolutions have been presented under different topics at various times, in essence they have served the same purpose – to exert pressure on Azerbaijan and damage the country’s international image. Azerbaijan, in turn, has taken consistent steps to ensure peace and cooperation in the region after the war, has put forward real initiatives for signing a peace agreement, and has demonstrated a constructive position.”
Corruption scandals and crisis of confidence in the European Parliament
Vugar Iskandarov noted that the European Parliament’s involvement in various corruption scandals in recent years has dealt a serious blow to its international reputation: “Such incidents raise serious questions about the transparency and reliability of this institution. At the same time, other lobbying scandals and facts revealed about the influence of various interest groups indicate the existence of serious institutional problems in the European Parliament. In such conditions, it is neither logical nor politically ethical for this institution to ‘teach democracy’ to other countries.”
Position hindering regional peace
The MP noted that the European Parliament not only harms relations with Azerbaijan but also negatively affects the process of peace and stability in the region: “The institution’s stance encouraging revanchist forces and its rhetoric fueling confrontation create new risks in the region. Such an approach threatens the fragile stability achieved in the region and undermines the peace agenda. Azerbaijan, however, continues its independent policy with determination and does not retreat in the face of any external pressure. The decision adopted by the Milli Majlis is also an integral part of this policy and once again demonstrates that our country is open only to cooperation based on mutual respect. This step is a clear message to the international community that Azerbaijan is determined to protect its sovereign rights, is ready to take all necessary steps to defend its national interests, and will not accept biased approaches.”
