MEPs criticize EU ties with Baku amid Genocide remembrance

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Parliament, during its April 3 session marking the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, condemned the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. This was reported by the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).

Several members of the European Parliament drew parallels between the historical tragedy and recent developments, stressing that Turkey and Azerbaijan continue to evade historical accountability, which could have disastrous consequences, according to Armenpress.

“Recognition and reconciliation require courage to confront the past and build the future on historical truth. This is especially important today, as hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijani atrocities,” said Miriam Lexmann of the European People’s Party.

Yannis Maniatis, from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, recalled his own family’s tragic history under the Ottoman Empire. “Lack of memory and recognition leads to repetition of the past. What happened in Nagorno-Karabakh is a painful reminder,” he emphasized.

Another MEP, Nicolas Bay, harshly criticized Turkey and Azerbaijan’s political stance, pointing out that Turkey has been attempting to annex Armenian territories for 110 years. He urged the EU to increase pressure on Turkey to acknowledge its historical crimes.

Markéta Gregorová of the Greens emphasized that the European Union can no longer apply a selective approach. “Let us support Armenia, the last democracy in the region,” she added.

MEPs also strongly criticized the EU’s ongoing cooperation with Azerbaijan, particularly in the context of gas supplies and the memorandum of understanding signed with Baku, despite human rights violations.

“Genocide denial must not be tolerated. It is directly linked to today’s injustices and violence,” said Marie Toussaint, stressing that history is repeating itself, albeit in different forms, with the same impunity.

The EAFJD expressed gratitude to the MEPs who honored the victims of the Armenian Genocide and simultaneously raised concerns over the rights of Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

The organization also criticized EU executive bodies for failing to use the term “genocide” and for not showing due respect.

During the session, European lawmakers reaffirmed that the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be justified and urged the EU to adopt a principled foreign policy approach that prioritizes human rights and international law over economic interests.

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale assault on Artsakh, subjecting the region to intense shelling. A day later, on September 20, Artsakh’s authorities accepted a ceasefire proposal by the Russian peacekeeping command and agreed to Baku’s terms, including disarmament and dissolution of the Artsakh Republic. From September 24, the forced displacement of Artsakh Armenians began, with over 100,000 fleeing to Armenia. As of now, reports indicate only about 20 Armenians remain in Artsakh. On September 28, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree to dissolve the republic, effective January 1, 2024.