Ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijani threats to Armenia’s territorial integrity
29.9.2023
Priority question for written answer P-002865/2023
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Antoni Comín i Oliveres (NI), Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó (NI), Clara Ponsatí Obiols (NI)
On 19 September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, where its forces engaged in heavy shelling and gunfire, targeting civilian areas. As a result, many ethnic Armenian residents have been forced to flee the region, fearing persecution and ethnic cleansing.
Moreover, on 25 September 2023, Azerbaijan’s President made a statement expressing his dissatisfaction with the Soviet decision to give Armenia the Syunik region, which he referred to as ‘Western Zangezur’. This statement can be seen as a threat to Armenia’s territorial integrity.
In 2022, the EU signed a memorandum of understanding with Azerbaijan on a strategic partnership in the field of energy, recognising Azerbaijan as a ‘reliable partner’. Furthermore, negotiations are under way for a new comprehensive agreement to enhance EU-Azerbaijan cooperation in various domains.
- 1.Is the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) contemplating proposing to the Council that the EU’s partnership with Azerbaijan be reconsidered?
- 2.Does the VP/HR plan to propose to the Council that sanctions be imposed on the Azerbaijani officials responsible for the attacks on the Armenian civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh?
- 3.How does the EU intend to cooperate with Armenia to ensure its territorial integrity, beyond the current civilian mission under the common security and defence policy?
Submitted: 29.9.2023