Ilham Aliyev sharply criticizes PACE and European Parliament

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev sharply criticized PACE and the European Parliament while speaking via video link at the 8th summit of the European Political Community held in Yerevan.

The head of state accused these structures of double standards and attempting to undermine the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Unfortunately, double standards have become a kind of modus operandi for PACE. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan holds the same value as that of any other country, and double standards are unacceptable in this matter," the Azerbaijani leader emphasized.

Speaking about the European Parliament, he stressed that this structure, instead of supporting the peace process, prefers to sabotage it. The head of state recalled that from May 2021, just six months after the end of the Second Karabakh War, until April 30, 2026, the European Parliament adopted 14 biased resolutions against Azerbaijan: "Just imagine: 14 resolutions in five years – it’s a kind of obsession. The latest one was adopted just four days ago, deliberately right before the summit."

"Instead of addressing such fundamental problems of some member states as xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, migration, competitiveness, and homelessness, the European Parliament targets Azerbaijan, spreading slander and lies. And the reason is that Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty, put an end to separatism, and held war criminals accountable," Ilham Aliyev said.

He drew attention to the decision of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis to suspend cooperation with the European Parliament in all areas. "Given that during the EPC summit we openly exchange views and concerns, I just wanted to inform colleagues about what is happening in this regard to prevent misinformation and manipulation around this decision," the head of state noted.