The European Parliament yesterday, by a vote of 504 to 4, adopted a special resolution that calls for strengthening relations between Armenia and the European Union (EU) and emphasizes the need to conclude an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty.

The most important point of the resolution is that the EU legislative body addresses the possibility of Armenia's candidacy for membership in the European Union and calls on the European institutions to consider the possibility of granting Armenia the status of an EU candidate country.

"If Armenia is interested in receiving the status of a candidate country and continues on the path of stable reforms that strengthen its democracy, this can be the basis for a phase of transformation in EU-Armenia relations," the European Parliament noted, proposing to the EU executive authority to consider the possibility of granting Armenia the status of a candidate for EU membership.

European MPs call on the European Commission and the European Council to actively support the expansion of Armenia-EU cooperation not only in the economic sphere, but also in security and political dialogue.

The resolution condemns the invasion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the internationally recognized territory of Armenia and the ongoing occupation of some parts of Armenia. The European deputies reaffirmed the demand to withdraw the Azerbaijani troops from the sovereign territory of Armenia. They also expressed concern about the statements by the President of Azerbaijan and other officials threatening the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, including demanding an external corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan.

The European MPs believe that the issue of the road connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan should be settled respecting Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. With this resolution, they once again reaffirmed the EU's unequivocal support for Armenia's sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders.

 European Parliament deputies also welcomed the freezing of Armenia's membership in the CSTO, and the efforts aimed at reducing dependence on Russia in the field of security. They also expressed their support for Armenia's actions aimed at withdrawing Russian border guards from Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport.

The resolution also referred to the importance of preserving the Armenian cultural, religious and historical heritage of Artsakh. Concerns were expressed about destroying, vandalizing and desecrating it all. The European deputies called on Azerbaijan to preserve cultural values, and on UNESCO to take immediate measures to preserve and protect the Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh, which is under threat of extinction.

In the resolution, the European MPs also called on Azerbaijan to engage in a comprehensive and transparent dialogue with the Artsakh Armenians to ensure the respect of their rights and guarantee their safety, dignified and safe return to their homes under an international presence. Deputies called on Azerbaijan to release all residents of Artsakh and Armenia under Azerbaijani custody and to immediatelty implement all the decisions of the International Court of Justice.

This resolution of the European Parliament is of an advisory nature and is not subject to mandatory implementation.

Photo: European Council Press Service