Azerbaijan Suspends Cooperation with European Parliament Over Nagorno-Karabakh Resolution

On 1 May 2026 the Azerbaijani parliament (Milli Majlis) voted to suspend all cooperation with the European Parliament, to end participation in the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and to begin withdrawing from the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. The Foreign Ministry summoned EU Ambassador Marijana Kujundžic and issued a protest note. The European Parliament had adopted a resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s detention of Armenian “prisoners of war,” calling for their release, accusing Azerbaijan of destroying Armenian cultural heritage, and affirming the right of Armenian residents to return to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan severs ties with EU Parliament over Nagorno-Karabakh resolutionBaku suspends cooperation with European Parliament over resolutionAzerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit Euronest

The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute involves a claim of a 30-year Armenian occupation, a war in 2020, and a final Azerbaijani offensive in 2023 that displaced roughly 100 000 Armenian residents. Azerbaijan presented a reintegration plan later in 2023. Parliamentary ties with the European Parliament were frozen in 2015, partially restored thereafter, and have been a source of recurring tension.

Azerbaijan severs ties with EU Parliament over Nagorno-Karabakh resolution

The Azerbaijani parliament described the EP resolution as an anti-Azerbaijani, slanderous policy that undermines dialogue and amounts to pressure, blackmail, and interference in internal affairs. The Foreign Ministry called the provisions unfounded, biased, and contrary to principles of objectivity and respect for sovereignty, rejecting the claim that Armenian residents were forced to leave and deeming the “prisoners of war” label legally unacceptable. The European Parliament’s text condemned the detention of Armenian detainees, demanded their release, and accused Azerbaijan of destroying Armenian cultural and religious heritage while supporting the right of Armenian residents to return safely.

Azerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'Azerbaijan severs ties with EU Parliament over Nagorno-Karabakh resolutionBaku suspends cooperation with European Parliament over resolution

Azerbaijani officials say Armenian residents left Nagorno-Karabakh voluntarily, while the EP stresses their right to return. The EP labels detained Armenians “prisoners of war”; Baku calls that designation legally unacceptable. Accusations of cultural-heritage destruction lack independent verification, and displaced-person figures are provided only by the parties.

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

• “Drawing particular concern over the two sections above, the Azerbaijani Parliament said on Friday that ‘at the core of the European Parliament’s activities lies a decisive rejection of the norms and principles of international law and the concept of justice’.” — Azerbaijani Parliament

Azerbaijan severs ties with EU Parliament over Nagorno-Karabakh resolution

• “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,” — Azerbaijani Parliament

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

• “The claims in the resolution regarding the return of Armenian residents to the Karabakh region were described as completely groundless, and such calls were stated to constitute interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs,” — Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry

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

• “those responsible for the destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage.” — European Parliament resolution

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

Azerbaijan will proceed with its procedural exit from Euronest and keep all parliamentary contacts with the European Parliament suspended. The EU may address the dispute through diplomatic channels or by reviewing cooperation mechanisms. The Nagorno-Karabakh issue remains central to regional stability and to future EU-Azerbaijan relations.

Azerbaijan’s Parliament suspends ties with European Parliament, moves to exit EuronestAzerbaijan suspends cooperation with European Parliament over 'anti-Azerbaijani policy'Azerbaijan severs ties with EU Parliament over Nagorno-Karabakh resolution