Posėdžio stenograma

Ketvirtadienis, 2015 m. rugsėjo 10 d. - Strasbūras

5.3. Azerbaidžanas

  Presidente. – L'ordine del giorno reca la discussione su sette proposte di risoluzione sull'Azerbaigian.

  Ulrike Lunacek, author. – Mr President, in the Eastern Partnership Azerbaijan has unfortunately become the country with the worst human rights record. Even Belarus has recently released six political prisoners.

So, given that human rights are, and must be, at the core of relations of the European Union with third countries, we need to stand up together for those who defend human rights, the rule of law and the freedom of the media. We cannot have double standards, for example countries that have oil and gas and others that do not.

This resolution calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners. It also welcomes that the Azeri authorities have allowed a medical team to visit Leyla and Arif Yunus. On Tuesday, the UN Commissioner for Human Rights also criticised the ongoing crackdown on civil rights and independent voices in Azerbaijan and called for their immediate release.

Let me also – and I hope the Azeri authorities will also read this and listen to it – say one last sentence. This resolution also demands that all European Court of Human Rights rulings need to be complied with, including that of 16 June 2015, which confirms Armenia’s responsibility for the occupation and military presence in the territories of Azerbaijan.

  Sajjad Karim, author. – Mr. President, allow me to start with a quote from an old – but not that old – Strasbourg speech from 14 years ago: ‘Azerbaijan has definitely chosen the road of integration into Europe, getting orientated towards its humanistic and democratic values’ – wise words indeed from President Heydar Aliyev in 2001.

And yet EU-Azerbaijan relations are a story of disappointments, and – let us be honest – probably mutual disappointments. We know, for instance, that Azerbaijan is frustrated with the lack of progress over Nagorno-Karabakh. We also know that it feels that, far too often, the international community disregards the challenges it has had to face in the aftermath of this war in terms of refugees and internally displaced persons. It is true that the international community has probably not been as active as it could have been in solving this protracted conflict which is still, as we speak, claiming lives.

But two wrongs do not make a right, and when Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe our hope was that it shared our attachment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. As we see today, this hope has been replaced by, to put it mildly, strong concerns.

As a friend of Azerbaijan and its people, on a principled position, it is simple and clear: we want Azerbaijan to return to its path towards a European future.

  Cristian Dan Preda , auteur. – Monsieur le Président, au nom du groupe PPE, je voudrais dire deux choses: tout d'abord, nous avons exprimé dans notre résolution notre inquiétude concernant notamment l'état de santé de Leyla et Arif Yunus et nous demandons qu'ils soient libérés le plus tôt possible. Nous sommes d'ailleurs très contents que la diplomatie silencieuse, comme on l'appelle, ait produit ses effets. Nous avons pu les aider du point de vue médical.

Par ailleurs, nous n'avons pas signé la résolution commune parce que nous ne pouvons pas accepter la stratégie des Verts qui consiste à venir en plénière pour lui demander de prendre une décision – sans passer par la commission des affaires étrangères – sur les instruments de la politique de voisinage, sur les enquêtes conduites, dit-on, par les institutions de l'Union sur le président Aliyev, qui avait signé avec le président Tusk des accords afin justement de pouvoir aussi avancer dans le domaine des droits. Cette stratégie des Verts est donc irréaliste, nous ne pouvons pas l'accepter. Nous allons demander, d'ailleurs, de ne pas mettre aux voix aujourd'hui cette résolution, qui est tout simplement la preuve d'un radicalisme qui ne produit pas que des effets contraires.

  Ignazio Corrao, Autore. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, un po' per caso, un po' per coincidenza, in questa sessione, ci siamo ritrovati a parlare sia della Bielorussia che dell'Azerbaigian ed è bellissimo vedere come questo Parlamento si approccia con due pesi e due misure nei confronti di due paesi che geograficamente appartengono alla stessa area e che se fossero posti in una classifica dei diritti umani, probabilmente, se vogliamo, –a fare una classifica di questo genere – probabilmente le violazioni in Azerbaigian sono peggiori rispetto a quelle in Bielorussia.

Però, in Bielorussia mettiamo sanzioni, con l'Azerbaigian ci facciamo affari, perché è chiaro che nella logica di questa strategia che il collega Preda ha fatto intendere, l'Azerbaigian ci serve perché ci fornisce idrocarburi e noi ci vogliamo liberare dalla dipendenza della Russia e quindi "Chi se ne frega se l'Azerbaigian viola i diritti umani? Chi se ne frega se tortura giornalisti e difensori? L'importante è che ci facciamo affari!" È assolutamente sbagliato questo tipo di atteggiamento che sta avendo il PPE che non vuole neanche votarla perché, secondo me, se qui parliamo di diritti umani, mettiamo i diritti umani davanti agli affari che vogliamo fare con l'Azerbaigian, quindi: bene votarla, oggi, questa rivoluzione.

  Marie-Christine Vergiat, auteure. – Monsieur le Président, n'en déplaise à M. Preda, depuis plusieurs mois, ce Parlement dénonce la situation en Azerbaïdjan.

Dans son rapport de suivi 2015, la Commission affirmait que la situation démocratique en matière de droits de l'homme s'est significativement dégradée dans ce pays.

L'Union et l'Azerbaïdjan sont liés par un accord de partenariat et la Commission et le Conseil poussent à un accord d'association. Comme le processus est bloqué, on cherche à mettre en œuvre un protocole de participation au programme de l'Union européenne et M. Tusk a rendu visite, en juillet dernier, à M. Ilham Aliyev. On rêve...

Alors, non, Monsieur Preda, l'instrumentalisation n'est pas de ce côté de l'hémicycle. Vous êtes bien mal placé pour nous donner des leçons. Arrêtez! Le contexte de tensions avec la Russie et les fortes réserves en hydrocarbures du pays expliquent sans aucun doute le comportement des instances européennes et la vôtre tout particulièrement.

Comment pouvons-nous rendre crédibles nos votes pour éviter que les droits de l'homme soient une fois de plus sacrifiés? Ces deux poids, deux mesures expliquent que le clan au pouvoir pense bénéficier d'une impunité totale au détriment des défenseurs des droits de l'homme dans ce pays qui mérite notre respect.

  Marietje Schaake, author. – Mr President, human rights violations have systematically increased in Azerbaijan with excessive sentences for journalist Khadija Ismayilova and human rights defenders Leyla Yunus and her husband, and there are many more political prisoners. In fact civil society, political opposition figures, human rights defenders and journalists face intimidation, violence and repression.

To those who are now frantically calling for more time for silent diplomacy, I say that the Azeri authorities have had all the time in the world to make sure that human rights were respected in their own country and that they respected commitments they made to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and their commitments under the OSCE, and to ensure that the Strategic and Eastern Partnerships also include respect for democracy and human rights.

We do not need another kind of Russian scenario in Azerbaijan and therefore we must speak out now. What is the alternative to strong words in the face of the gravest human rights violations, and what good will more silent diplomacy do? Yes, dialogue, but with a strong message, and so far we have not seen that any silent efforts have rendered the results that we needed.

  Josef Weidenholzer, Verfasser. – Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar! – Aserbaidschan beschäftigt uns nicht zum ersten Mal hier, es ist ein Dauergast. Aserbaidschan möchte gerne zu Europa gehören. Es hat heuer mit großem Pomp die Europäischen Olympischen Spiele veranstaltet. Mit Aserbaidschan verbinden uns Wirtschaftsinteressen, und Wirtschaftsinteressen sind immer beidseitig. In einer solchen Situation haben wir das Recht zu fragen, inwieweit Aserbaidschan die Rechtsstaatlichkeit einhalten will, inwieweit Aserbaidschan die Menschenrechte einhalten will. Sie haben schließlich und endlich auch als Mitglied des Europarats die Europäische Menschrechtskonvention unterzeichnet.

Es ist traurig und erschütternd, dass Aserbaidschan alle unsere Bedenken regelmäßig vom Tisch wischt. Das ist nicht zu akzeptieren. Die Lage ist sehr ernst – wir werden noch über einige Fälle hören –, und ich glaube, dass wir nicht lockerlassen dürfen im Sinne der Menschenrechte in Aserbaidschan, aber auch im Sinne der europäischen Interessen.

  Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein, w imieniu grupy PPE. – Panie Przewodniczący! W państwie prezydenta Alijewa jest dzisiaj dwa razy więcej więźniów politycznych niż w Rosji i na Białorusi razem wziętych. A w jakich warunkach oni, dysydenci, tam siedzą, słyszeli państwo od moich przedmówców. Prezydent Alijew nic sobie nie robi z zobowiązań międzynarodowych i notorycznie łamie Europejską konwencję praw człowieka.

To wymaga to od nas wyraźnych słów, to wymaga od nas zdecydowanych akcji! Dobrze pamiętam, że kiedy my, w krajach rządzonych przez dyktatury komunistyczne w latach siedemdziesiątych i osiemdziesiątych, walczyliśmy przeciwko tym rządom, które odbierały nam wolność, wtedy nadzieją i otuchą dla nas były zdecydowane słowa, zaangażowanie tej właśnie Wysokiej Izby – Parlamentu Europejskiego.

Dziś bardzo żałuję, że moja grupa polityczna nie podpisała wspólnej rezolucji w sprawie Azerbejdżanu, bo prawa człowieka to nie jest sprawa polityki partyjnej. W imię solidarności z prześladowanymi w Azerbejdżanie proszę was Koleżanki i Koledzy o głosowanie za tą rezolucją.

  Kati Piri, namens de S&D-Fractie. – Een jaar geleden stonden wij hier ook en spraken schande over arrestaties van bekende mensenrechtenactivisten, journalisten en advocaten in Azerbeidzjan. Dit Parlement nomineerde zelfs één van hen, Leyla Yunus, vorig jaar voor de Sacharov-prijs. En hoewel Baku een belangrijke partner is van de EU, is tot op heden van deze kritiek niets aangetrokken.

Afgelopen zomer was ik aanwezig bij de start van het schijnproces tegen Leyla en Arif Yunus. Ze zaten in een glazen kooi en konden niet met hun advocaten overleggen. Beiden hebben ernstige gezondheidsproblemen. Arif Yunus moest tijdens het proces zelfs met de ambulance worden afgevoerd. Voor iedereen was duidelijk dat het een absurde aanklacht was en geen eerlijk proces. Zieke mensen van 60 een gevangenisstraf van respectievelijk acht en zesenhalf jaar opleggen staat gelijk aan een doodvonnis. Dit is het huidige Azerbeidzjan!

Het is voor mij dan ook onbegrijpelijk dat de diplomatieke dienst van de Europese Unie en de Commissie zich tot nu toe niet fermer hebben uitgelaten over deze gang van zaken in Azerbeidzjan. Na de veroordeling van Leyla en Arif kwam eindelijk de oproep voor vrijlating. Dit was echter niet het geval in de zaken van Intigam Aliyev, Rasul Jafarov en Khadija Ismayilova. Ook zij zitten onschuldig vast. Het Europees Parlement is vandaag duidelijk. Wij roepen de Azeri-overheid op om alle politieke gevangenen per direct vrij te laten.

Een belangrijk onderdeel van het EU-nabuurschapsbeleid is het meer voor meer-principe. Hoe meer democratische hervormingen een land doorvoert, des te meer steun krijgt het van de EU. Het omgekeerde zou wat mij betreft ook moeten gelden: minder voor minder. Wij roepen Azerbeidzjan op om aan zijn verplichtingen te voldoen als lid van de Raad van Europa. Tot die tijd pleit mijn fractie voor gerichte financiële sancties en een visumverbod voor alle politici en ambtenaren die betrokken zijn geweest bij de politieke vervolgingen.

  Ivo Vajgl, v imenu skupine ALDE. – Bdeti nad stanjem človekovih pravic in pravne države v svetu, posebej v državah, s katerimi imamo partnerske odnose in torej tudi več možnosti in kanalov komuniciranja, je, jasno, permanentna naloga tega parlamenta.

Z Azerbajdžanom se ukvarjamo pogosto in danes imamo na mizi novo, zelo ostro resolucijo z nekaj zelo dobrimi razlogi. Želim si, da bi imela pozitiven učinek, bojim pa se, da se to ne bo zgodilo.

V Bakuju so prepričani, da njihovo državo obtožujemo bolj pogosto kot druge primerljive – na primer sosednjo Armenijo, ki z ruskimi četami na svojem ozemlju okupira eno petino njihovega ozemlja in ki je izgnala skoraj vse avtohtone prebivalce Nagornega Karabakha, pri čemer mi, Evropska unija, ne storimo ničesar, da bi se stanje spremenilo.

Azerbajdžan, komplicirana in strateško pomembna država, si gotovo zasluži kritiko, toda tudi bolj celovito in uravnoteženo obravnavo v Evropskem parlamentu.

  Jordi Sebastià, en nombre del Grupo Verts/ALE. – Señor Presidente, una vez más nos reunimos para debatir sobre la situación de los derechos humanos en Azerbaiyán.

En 2009, este Parlamento ya lanzó todas las alarmas sobre la supresión de las libertades fundamentales bajo el régimen del presidente Aliyev. Desde entonces hemos continuado advirtiendo sobre la peligrosa deriva totalitaria con la aprobación de resoluciones al respecto, y ¿de qué ha servido? El régimen de Aliyev no solo aniquila los derechos básicos de los azerbaiyanos, sino que se obstina en desestabilizar las democracias de los países vecinos: ataca militarmente Armenia de forma regular y, contradiciendo sus compromisos en el marco del Grupo de Minsk, no para de hostigar a Nagorno Karabaj, el país con los mejores estándares democráticos del Cáucaso.

Pero, además, como pudimos ver este mismo lunes en France 2, en el programa Cash Investigation, sus redes de corrupción intentan extenderse a la Unión Europea comprando la voluntad de políticos corruptos. Sin embargo, en la Unión Europea, muchos continúan refiriéndose a Azerbaiyán como socio.

¿Cómo es posible que un régimen tan atroz se beneficie de la asociación oriental y de la política de vecindad? No solo no comparte nuestros valores, sino que trata de socavarlos. Basta de declaraciones y empecemos a actuar con contundencia y con sanciones. Muchos allí, como los periodistas y activistas presos, lo necesitan urgentemente.

  Gianluca Buonanno, a nome del gruppo ENF. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, per quanto riguarda la questione dell'Azerbaigian, io inizio subito dicendo che io mi sento amico dell'Azerbaigian, degli azeri, e non sono affatto d'accordo su quello che ho sentito fino adesso. Questa risoluzione d'urgenza a cosa serve? Serve, praticamente, quando uno magari deve soffiarsi il naso e prende il fazzoletto di carta, ecco lo usa, punto e finito, questa risoluzione conta zero. Secondo voi, da questa risoluzione, qualcuno dell'Azerbaigian si spaventa, si preoccupa, dice qualcosa di particolare? Assolutamente no! Questo è il ridicolo del Parlamento europeo, che fa carta che non serve assolutamente a niente, se non a soffiarsi il naso.

Allora, parlate dell'islam e si parla dell'islam. L'islam moderato c'è in Azerbaigian, ci sono più diritti per le donne rispetto agli altri, sì o no? C'è un islam moderato, sì o no? È così, e quando voi dite "non ci sono i diritti", ma, allora, cari europei perché fate gli affari con la Cina? Quelli non fanno, ad esempio, la pena di morte, non ammazzano – come hanno ammazzato solo nell'ultimo anno – 700 persone?

Oppure, quando si parla della Nigeria, però anche lì c'è il petrolio e quindi la Nigeria bisogna vederla in maniera diversa! Oppure, si parla di tanti altri paesi, ma la sostanza qual è? Che come si diceva prima, diceva un collega: non è che c'è un peso e una misura, due pesi e due misure, qui ci sono 100 pesi e 100 misure. Quindi, io dico "viva l'Azerbaigian", "viva gli azeri", andiamo là e parliamo con loro, con un tavolo vero non con le lobby che poi modificano le cose. L'Europa deve andare là e parlare con loro e trovare delle soluzioni. Questo è un modo serio per fare una politica estera decente.

  Seán Kelly (PPE). – Mr President, I one hundred per cent agree that we need to put every pressure possible on Azerbaijan to respect human rights. That is really what this proposal today is all about.

For that reason, it is unfortunate that the EPP find themselves in the position that they cannot back this resolution, and we have got to take a lesson from that. We have to do everything, prior to coming to Parliament, to try and get a joint resolution that all parties and all groups can sign up to.

For us, the suggestion that we should ‘immediately’ break off negotiations with Azerbaijan makes no sense, because if we were to do that and apply it to other countries in the world then we would have negotiations with no-one. If you took that line with Iran, we would not be talking about the nuclear deal right now.

So it is for that reason in particular – that of over-extending ourselves and doing things for one country that we do not do for another country – that we find ourselves in the position we are today.

We want to see human rights restored and respect in Azerbaijan, but there is a way we can all do it together.

Interventi su richiesta

  Ramona Nicole Mănescu (PPE). – Uniunea Europeană și Azerbaidjanul trebuie să continue să conlucreze, așa cum s-a reafirmat recent în vizita președintelui Aliev la Bruxelles. Această cooperare este în beneficiul ambelor părți nu doar din punctul de vedere al sectorului energetic, așa cum s-a spus mai devreme, dar și în ceea ce privește respectarea drepturilor omului.

Noi, cu siguranță, ne exprimăm îngrijorarea cu privire la încălcări ale drepturilor omului în Azerbaidjan și, sigur, cerem autorităților să rezolve aceste cazuri. Dar, în același timp, atragem atenția că astfel de situații nu fac altceva decât să îndepărteze țara de valorile democratice și de acordurile internaționale la care Azerbaidjanul este parte.

În același timp, cred că păstrarea dialogului cu Azerbaidjanul și întărirea parteneriatului reprezintă, de fapt, calea pe care Uniunea Europeană trebuie să o urmeze, iar orice tentativă de a ne erija în instanță supremă nu face altceva decât să răcească relațiile și nu aduce beneficii nici Uniunii Europene, nici cetățenilor Azerbaidjanului.

  Kosma Złotowski (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący, Szanowni Państwo! Partnerstwo Wschodnie jest bardzo ważne dla Unii Europejskiej, ponieważ rozszerza nie tylko wpływy Unii Europejskiej na kraje położone od nas na wschód, ale przede wszystkim zbliża je do nas. Jednak niektórzy z nas uważają, że Partnerstwo Wschodnie to audytorium, z którego można innych pouczać. Otóż nie – my nie mamy ich pouczać – my mamy ich zbliżać, my mamy ich przyciągać. Pewnie, że można mieć zastrzeżenia co do niektórych spraw które dzieją się w Azerbejdżanie, ale, Szanowni Państwo, nie pouczajmy! Pamiętajmy, że verba docent. To prawda, ale exempla trahunt!

  Laura Agea (EFDD). – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, dal 2009 ad oggi, il Parlamento europeo ha adottato 7 risoluzioni sulla situazione dei diritti umani in Azerbaigian. I fatti di cui abbiamo parlato oggi durante questo dibattito dimostrano che, nonostante 7 risoluzioni – non una 7 – il regime liberticida azero ha sradicato ogni forma di democrazia in Azerbaigian; inoltre non è un mistero, i continui bombardamenti che vengono portati avanti dal regime azero nelle zone limitrofe, mi riferisco all'Armenia, mi riferisco al Nagorno Karabakh, in cui pochi giorni fa, una donna e suo figlio sono rimasti feriti.

Penso che il nostro dovere sia quello di adottare questa ottava risoluzione sui diritti umani, non solo per assicurarci che quella che è stata approvata nel 2009 sia messa in pratica, ma anche per iniziare, con delle sanzioni, a restituire una democrazia certa al popolo azero, perché il popolo azero merita la democrazia, il regime azero merita semplicemente delle sanzioni che restituiscano libertà al popolo.

  Jiří Pospíšil (PPE). – Pane předsedající, já jsem pozorně poslouchal debatu, která zde probíhala, a jeden kolega tady řekl: K čemu je toto usnesení? V Ázerbájdžánu se nic nezmění.

Já s tím zásadně nesouhlasím. Já se domnívám, že toto usnesení, která odsuzuje justiční zlovůli v Ázerbájdžánu, má svůj smysl. Totiž těm, kteří jsou disidenti, kteří bojují proti totalitě v Ázerbájdžánu, dáváme jasný signál, že je podporujeme, a je to pro ně jasná a významná morální podpora. Například taková novinářka, jako je Chadidža Ismailová, která byla odsouzena nedávno k sedmi a půl roku ve zcela vykonstruovaném procesu, pro takové lidi si myslím, že je důležité jasně říci, že Evropská unie stojí za nimi, že je podporuje a že jejich boj za demokracii a právní stát v Ázerbájdžánu sledujeme a že jim fandíme. Myslím, že to je strašně důležité, a proto podporuji přijetí takového usnesení.

  Anneli Jäätteenmäki (ALDE). – Arvoisa puhemies, EU:n tulee kaikissa tilanteissa puolustaa ihmisoikeuksia. Olen tämän päätöslauselman allekirjoittajien kanssa samaa mieltä siitä, että Azerbaidžanissa ihmisoikeuskehitys on ollut huolestuttava.

Mutta tässä päätöslauselmassa esitetään sanktioita, esitetään, että naapuruussuhteiden kehittyminen pitäisi pistää nyt ehdolliseksi, esitetään viisumikieltoa ja niin edelleen. Minusta nämä ovat sellaisia asioita, jotka pitäisi ensiksi valmistella valiokunnassa huolellisesti ja sen jälkeen päättää täällä. Ei niin, että täällä yht’äkkiä pienessä piirissä ja muutaman ihmisen voimalla asiasta äänestetään ilman hyvää, asianmukaista valmistelua.

En usko, että tällainen päätöslauselma ilman hyvää valmistelua tuottaa sitä tulosta, mitä me haluamme. Se voi antaa tyydytystä joillekin, että saimmepahan sanottua, mutta meidän pitäisi olla vain kiinnostuneita siitä, että edistystä ihmisoikeuksien kunnioittamisessa tapahtuu.

  Stanislav Polčák (PPE). – Pane předsedající, já bych rovněž chtěl odsoudit samozřejmě tento konkrétní případ, ale i ty případy další, o kterých zde bylo hovořeno. Podle mého soudu není možné v daném případě říct, že lidská práva mají jinou kvalitu, jinou úroveň, pokud se týkají jiné konkrétní země.

I v tomto případě já budu podporovat konečný návrh usnesení, ale zároveň bych chtěl vyzvat znovu Evropskou unii a její orgány, aby zvážily, do jaké míry je možné vykonávat na území Evropské unie a jejími orgány závazné vykonatelné rozhodnutí mezinárodních soudních tribunálů, pokud je ten daný stát uznává. Ať je to třeba konkrétně Rada Evropy ve Štrasburku, kde sídlí štrasburský soud pro lidská práva.

Kolega z Itálie se ptal, jak se k tomuto návrhu usnesení postaví Ázerbájdžán. Samozřejmě tento návrh usnesení je nemusí donutit vůbec k ničemu. Ale pokud Evropská unie nalezne mechanismus výkonu lidských práv, tak si myslím, že to bude vhodné a dobré pro Unii jako celek.

  Νότης Μαριάς (ECR). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, ήμασταν «στο ίδιο έργο θεατές» και τον Ιούνιο όταν, πριν απ τους 1ους Ευρωπαϊκούς Αγώνες, έγινε για καθαρά πολιτικούς λόγους και σκοπιμότητες συζήτηση στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο για το Αζερμπαϊτζάν. Σήμερα, ενόψει των κοινοβουλευτικών εκλογών του Νοεμβρίου του 2015, έχουμε κατάθεση ενός νέου και πολιτικά φορτισμένου ψηφίσματος, ενός ψηφίσματος που δεν είναι ισορροπημένο αλλά μονομερές και έχει συγκεκριμένη πολιτική στόχευση. Δυστυχώς, το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο έχει μπει σε λάθος ατραπούς, αφού αποφάσισε να μη στείλει καν παρατηρητές κατά τη διεξαγωγή των κοινοβουλευτικών εκλογών του Νοεμβρίου στη χώρα. Η τακτική απομόνωσης του Αζερμπαϊτζάν είναι λανθασμένη διότι οδηγεί σε απομόνωση ενός κράτους που αποτελεί στρατηγικό εταίρο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και διαφυλάσσει την ενεργειακή ασφάλεια. Η τακτική αυτή απομακρύνει το Αζερμπαϊτζάν από τον ευρωπαϊκό δρόμο. Ποιος θα επωφεληθεί αν το Αζερμπαϊτζάν κλείσει την πόρτα προς την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση; Προς τα που θα στραφεί το Αζερμπαϊτζάν; Τάσσομαι κατά του ψηφίσματος και υποστηρίζω την πρόταση να αναβληθεί η ψηφοφορία επί του συγκεκριμένου ψηφίσματος.

(Fine degli interventi su richiesta)

  Dimitris Avramopoulos, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, Azerbaijan is a close partner in several fields of strategic importance for the European Union, notably energy security and regional stability. Our relations have intensified over the last years under the Eastern Partnership, and we would like to see this relationship prosper and develop further on the basis of common interests and values.

However, there are important issues in our relationship that need to be addressed openly among partners. The European Union is following the human rights situation in Azerbaijan closely. Notably, we observed the trials of Leyla and Arif Yunus, of Khadija Ismayilova and, in the spring, of Rasul Jafarov and Intigam Aliyev, just to mention some of the human rights defenders and journalists in Azerbaijan.

We have reacted to these negative developments in statements and direct talks at the highest level. We continue to call for the release of human rights activists and journalists imprisoned without a fair trial. We would like to see Azerbaijan live up to its international commitments as a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the OSCE, notably when it comes to safeguarding freedom of expression and association and applying the rule of law, with an independent judiciary and with access to fair and transparent trials.

We do not underestimate the challenges that Azerbaijan faces to further develop its independence and stability in a volatile region. We remain convinced that the only way for a country to ensure its long-term stability and security is to allow space for citizens to contribute freely to the political debate. For this, journalists must be allowed to perform their work freely. We expect more action to be taken in this regard.

I understand that the Azerbaijan authorities are actively investigating the recent murder of the journalist Rasim Aliyev. Our delegation works hard to promote human rights and has good contacts with civil society in Baku. Our financial assistance is key in this endeavour since it targets the most vulnerable sectors and makes a difference in people’s lives.

Our delegation also offers concrete support to human rights defenders at risk. We will continue to stand up for our shared values and interests in our bilateral relations as well as through the Eastern Partnership and as fellow members of the Council of Europe.

To achieve sustainable results, we will have to apply a long-term constructive approach based on dialogue and engagement and the intense use of diplomatic channels. In order to put our relations on a new base and to develop their full potential, exploratory talks with Baku on an agreement will start next week.

This will bring new opportunities to engage with Azerbaijan across all fields of common interest and values, in line with our international commitments. In this endeavour of engaging Azerbaijan critically but constructively, we need to work together with you.

While we understand that some Honourable Members are not comfortable with the idea of negotiating with Azerbaijan in the current circumstances, we must use this new opportunity to pursue human rights objectives as an integral part of our wider relationship. To miss this opportunity would not help to address the concerns that we all share here.

  Presidente. – La discussione è chiusa.

La votazione si svolgerà termine della discussione.

Dichiarazioni scritte (articolo 162)

  Monica Macovei (PPE), în scris. – Drepturile omului sunt încălcate sistematic și tot mai grav în Azerbaidjan. Jurnaliștii și apărătorii drepturilor omului sunt condamnați la închisoare fără procese corecte. De exemplu, jurnalista de investigație Hadia Ismayilova a fost condamnată la 7 ani și jumătate de închisoare după ce a scris articole critice împotriva președintelui Alieyv și a familiei acestuia. Rezoluția solicită guvernului din Azerbaidjan să pună capăt imediat represiunii împotriva jurnaliștilor și a societății civile și cere ca negocierile cu Azerbaidjan să fie imediat suspendate, atât timp cât guvernul nu ia măsuri pentru eliberarea jurnaliștilor și respectarea drepturilor omului. Am votat pentru rezoluția comună. Doresc să subliniez faptul că nu mi-a fost alocat timp pentru a lua cuvântul în această sesiune plenară în cazul Azerbaidjan, pentru că am exprimat în prezența coordonatorului din AFET opinii diferite față de ale sale și a unei părți a grupului.

IN THE CHAIR: IOAN MIRCEA PAŞCU
Vice-President

  James Carver (EFDD). – Mr President, the House may wish to acknowledge that yesterday was quite an incredible milestone in the United Kingdom when Her Majesty the Queen became the country’s longest-serving monarch. I hope Members – certainly British Members and, I would hope, Maltese and Cypriot Members, given her leadership as Head of the Commonwealth – will join me in generally acknowledging the incredible service this lady has given to the United Kingdom.

(Applause)

Preşedinte. – Mulțumim, este o realitate și, într-adevăr, ea va fi consemnată cum trebuie.