President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola defended the institution following criticism voiced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during the 8th Summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan.
Responding to the remarks, Metsola defended the European Parliament’s work and decision-making process. “The European Parliament is a directly elected democratic body, where the resolutions are adopted by majority, understanding that the outcome might be uncomfortable for some,” Metsola said. “But we will never change the way we work and we defend the positions we take,” she added
Speaking via video link at the summit, Aliyev sharply criticized the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, accusing them of applying “double standards” toward Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani president claimed that the European Parliament had adopted “14 resolutions full of insults, lies about Azerbaijan” since May 2021. Aliyev also announced that Azerbaijan’s parliament had decided on May 1 to suspend cooperation with the European Parliament “in all areas,” cease participation in the activities of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and initiate procedures to terminate membership in the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. “In response, Parliament of Azerbaijan on May 1 decided officially to suspend cooperation with the European Parliament in all areas,” he said.
Aliyev argued that Azerbaijan was being unfairly targeted after restoring “territorial integrity and sovereignty” and ending separatism in Karabakh.
The decision followed the adoption by the European Parliament of a resolution supporting democratic resilience in Armenia.
Aliyev’s remarks came as he also emphasized progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, describing peace between the two countries as “a reality” and highlighting recent steps toward regional connectivity and economic cooperation.