News - European Parliament report calls for suspending oil, gas imports from Azerbaijan in case of its military aggression

The European Union (EU) annual report on the common security and defense policy, which was adopted by the European Parliament on Wednesday, emphasizes the need to apply purposeful and targeted sanctions against Azerbaijan in case of its aggression against Armenia, reports Armenpress. The report calls for being ready to apply targeted and individual sanctions against the perpetrators of aggression, but not to be limited to the political and military circle of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and to suspend the import of oil and natural gas from Azerbaijan in case of any military aggression by this country. The European Parliament members, with the adopted report, call on the EU to immediately apply sanctions against Azerbaijan and suspend the memorandum of understanding on strategic partnership in the energy sector. Also, they question Azerbaijan's eligibility to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in 2024, while the country plans to increase its fossil fuel production by a third over the next decade. According to European Parliament members, the risks of the resumption of military operations in the South Caucasus are a cause of serious concern and show the need for more active engagement by the EU in the region. Also, the report calls on the EU's European External Action Service (EEAS) to assist the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides in reaching a historic peace agreement, and on the two parties and the international community to remain vigilant and reject any attempts and provocations from outside that are aimed at preventing the two countries from achieving a stable peace agreement. The European Parliament is concerned that the prospects for a normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain fragile, which is why the EU should assist and encourage both sides towards this goal, including by offering the prospect of closer integration with the EU if they decide to do so. The report welcomes the establishment of the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia (EUMA), which aims to contribute to increasing security in the region by reducing the number of incidents in Armenia's conflict-affected and border regions—thus reducing the level of risk to the population. The adopted reports call not only to strengthen and extend the mandate of the EUMA, but also to deploy monitors along Armenia’s border with Turkey. Also, the EEAS  is called upon to be ready to provide the necessary technical assistance to Armenia through the European Peace Facility so that Armenia reviews its current military alliances, as this will strengthen the country's resilience in the context of ensuring security, independence, and sovereignty. With this report, the European Parliament asks the EEAS to provide—in secret mode—the EUMA reports on the situation on the ground to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Security and Defense of the European Parliament.