On the evening of 13 March, the European Parliament adopted a resolution proposing to examine the possibility of granting Armenia candidate status for membership of the European Union. 504 MEPs voted in favour, 4 against and 32 abstained. The resolution was drafted by the European People's Party (EPP) group.

The document states that if Armenia is interested in obtaining candidate status and continues on the path of stable reforms, strengthening its democracy, then this could become "the basis for a stage of transformation in EU-Armenia relations". Members of the European Parliament appealed to EU leaders to actively support Armenia. They called for the expansion of cooperation between Yerevan and Brussels, covering "not only economic aspects, but also political dialogue, integration in various sectors and the security field".

The authors of the resolution condemned the "invasion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the internationally recognised territory of Armenia and the continuing partial occupation". At the same time, it called on Azerbaijan "to withdraw its troops from Armenian territory". The European Parliament expressed its concern about threats to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia, in particular in the context of Azerbaijan's demands for the creation of a corridor linking its western regions with Nakhchivan. At the same time, the European Union reiterated its support for the sovereignty of Armenia and the inviolability of its borders.

In addition, the authors of the resolution proposed that the EU be prepared to "impose sanctions against those who threaten the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Armenia". The resolution also emphasised the crucial importance of protecting the Armenian cultural, religious and historical heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed serious concern about incidents of destruction, vandalism and desecration of monuments in the region. Azerbaijan was called upon to ensure the preservation of this heritage and UNESCO was called upon to take urgent action to protect the unique Armenian cultural heritage which is under threat.

MEPs insisted on the need for an open and comprehensive dialogue between Azerbaijan and the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at respecting their rights and ensuring their security, including their "dignified and safe return to their homes under international supervision". It also called for the release of all detained residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia held in Azerbaijani custody and the strict implementation of all decisions of the International Court of Justice. "In the context of Armenia's reconsideration of its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the European Parliament calls on the EU to actively support Armenia through the European Peace Facility, emphasising the importance of deepening cooperation in the field of security and defence," the document added.

At the same time, support was expressed for the process of normalisation of relations between Yerevan and Baku, based on mutual respect for territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, through the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991 and the delimitation of borders according to the maps of the General Staff of the USSR. Attention was also drawn to the need to resume negotiations on all outstanding issues between the two countries with a view to signing a peace agreement. It called on both sides to take full responsibility for finding a lasting and peaceful solution to the conflict through dialogue and negotiation.

Azerbaijan's Response

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemned the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 13 March, describing it as "unfounded and biased".

Describing the resolution as "part of a smear campaign", the Foreign Ministry claimed that it distorts facts and contains insulting statements that violate Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The ministry suggested that the "true nature of the MEPs behind the resolution is revealed" by their support "for such biased views".

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry criticised the European Parliament for interfering in the normalisation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, arguing that the institution would be better served by addressing "more pressing issues affecting Europe, such as racial discrimination, Islamophobia, xenophobia, extremism and the mistreatment of migrants".

The Ministry concluded by calling on MEPs to reconsider such resolutions, which it said were contrary to the institution's stated values and detrimental to its role in promoting peace and stability.