Azerbaijan Suspends Parliamentary Cooperation with the European Parliament

On 1 May 2026 the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) adopted a resolution suspending all forms of cooperation with the European Parliament. The resolution terminates Azerbaijan’s participation in the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and initiates the formal withdrawal from the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. A special commission, chaired by Vice-Speaker Ziyafat Asgarov, will oversee implementation.

Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European ParliamentMilli Mejlis of Azerbaijan decided to suspend cooperation with European Parliament in all areasAzerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit Euronest

Baku previously halted ties with the European Parliament in 2015, later restoring limited engagement after “numerous appeals and promises” from the EU. The 44-day conflict of 2020, often referred to in Azerbaijani sources as the “Patriotic War,” intensified criticism from the European Parliament on human-rights and governance issues. In 2023 Azerbaijan presented a reintegration plan for the Karabakh region under its constitution. The European Parliament’s May 2026 resolution, which called for the release of Armenian “prisoners of war” and accountability for alleged cultural-heritage destruction, was described by Azerbaijani officials as a continuation of an “anti-Azerbaijani policy.”

Azerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit EuronestAzerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European Parliament

• Sahiba Gafarova – Speaker of the Milli Majlis, announced the suspension.

Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan decided to suspend cooperation with European Parliament in all areas

• Ziyafat Asgarov – Vice-Speaker, leads the commission overseeing the withdrawal.

Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European Parliament

• Ilham Aliyev – President of Azerbaijan, under whose leadership the country restored its territorial integrity.

Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European Parliament

• European Parliament – Adopted the resolution prompting Baku’s response.

Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan decided to suspend cooperation with European Parliament in all areas

• Marijana Kujundzic – EU ambassador summoned by Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry.

Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan decided to suspend cooperation with European Parliament in all areas

• 2015 – Azerbaijan freezes parliamentary cooperation with the European Parliament.

Azerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit Euronest

• 2020 – Armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh concludes with Azerbaijan regaining control of occupied territories.

Azerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit Euronest

• 2023 – Azerbaijan issues a reintegration plan for the region.

Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European Parliament

• 30 April 2026 – European Parliament adopts resolution calling for Armenian prisoners’ release and cultural-heritage accountability.

Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'

• 1 May 2026 – Milli Majlis votes to suspend cooperation and begin Euronest withdrawal; EU ambassador is summoned.

Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan decided to suspend cooperation with European Parliament in all areas

• Azerbaijani officials cite “over 10” European-Parliament resolutions deemed biased since the 2020 war.

Azerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit Euronest

• The 2023 reintegration plan references the constitutional framework for the region’s return to Azerbaijani administration.

Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European Parliament

Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry labeled the European Parliament resolution “unfounded and biased,” asserting it “distorts reality” and “interferes with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.” The ministry emphasized that Armenian residents left Karabakh voluntarily and rejected claims of forced displacement or cultural-heritage destruction as “completely unfounded.”

Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'

The European Parliament’s resolution urged the “release of Armenian prisoners of war,” called for accountability for “the destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage,” and affirmed the “right to a safe, unimpeded and dignified return” of Armenian residents under international guarantees.

Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European Parliament

The European Parliament’s stance reflects ongoing concern over alleged human-rights violations and cultural-heritage damage in the post-conflict period, positioning it in direct opposition to Azerbaijan’s characterization of the resolution as interference.

Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'

Azerbaijan asserts that Armenian residents departed voluntarily, while the European Parliament emphasizes their right to return, highlighting a factual dispute. Independent verification of the number of “biased” European-Parliament resolutions remains absent from the available sources.

Azerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit Euronest

• “Unfortunately, the European Parliament's destructive position, which denies the aforementioned principles, has become the main obstacle to the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation relations with this institution,” — Milli Majlis resolution

Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'

• “Today, the European Parliament, where democratic values have collapsed, corruption and bribery are deeply rooted, and which serves lobby groups and various interest groups, has become a structure where Azerbaijanophobic and Islamophobic thinking is consistently expressed.” — Milli Majlis resolution

Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'

• “The resolution highlighted that the European Parliament ignored the 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia and the subsequent destruction of cultural heritage.” — Milli Majlis resolution (Operative Information Center)

Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European Parliament

• “The document also noted that despite President Ilham Aliyev's commitment to a peace agenda—which recently gained international support through the Washington agreements—the European Parliament has intensified its anti-Azerbaijan rhetoric, passing over 10 biased resolutions since the 44-day Patriotic War and during the COP29 summit.” — Milli Majlis resolution (Operative Information Center)

Azerbaijan suspends all cooperation with European Parliament

• “right to a safe, unimpeded and dignified return under appropriate international guarantees.” — European Parliament resolution

Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'

Azerbaijan will proceed with its withdrawal from Euronest, with the commission chaired by Vice-Speaker Asgarov managing the process. Diplomatic engagement between Baku and EU institutions is expected to focus on the implementation of the suspension and potential avenues for de-escalation.

Azerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit Euronest