Azerbaijan Suspends Ties with European Parliament

Source: Caucasian Knot | May 2026

Azerbaijani parliamentarians have decided to suspend all ties between the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) and the European Parliament following the adoption of a resolution affirming the right of return for Armenians to Karabakh and demanding the release of Armenian prisoners of war.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also handed the EU Ambassador a note of protest in response to the European Parliament’s actions. The move marks a significant deterioration in relations between Azerbaijan and European parliamentary institutions.

The European Parliament resolution had called for the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and an end to the persecution of government critics. Participants in a European Parliament hearing concluded that pressure on the opposition, civil society, and independent media is increasing in Azerbaijan.

The European Commission was urged to call on Azerbaijan to release political prisoners and end the crackdown on dissent. The suspension of parliamentary ties represents Azerbaijan’s strongest diplomatic response to European criticism to date.