Ανακοινωθέντα

Speech by MEP Marina KALJURAND on "Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia"

Speech by MEP Marina KALJURAND,

Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus,

at the plenary debate on

"Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia"

Strasbourg, 27 February 2024

President, Commissioner, Colleagues,

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan was very clear when he spoke in this hemicycle in October last year - Armenia has turned to Europe and looks for closer cooperation with the European Union.

This is not only a choice of economic convenience, but also a choice based on the country's commitment to key European values and the difficult security situation.

I strongly welcome the role of the EU monitoring mission ensuring the security of the border and the inclusion of Armenia into the European Peace Facility programme.

I also think that it is the right time to start the visa liberalisation dialogue and to better engage Armenia with regional connectivity and other projects.

At the same time, Armenia has to do its homework. I am referring to the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization), Eurasian Economic Union, Armenia's high dependency on Russia, including trade, and also a Russian military base in Armenia.

Finally, after more than 30 years of insecurity and suffering, Armenian and Azerbaijani people deserve to live in peace and security. Therefore, I call on the Azerbaijani leadership to commit to peace and sign a comprehensive peace agreement based on the recognition of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force.

Thank you!

Joint statement by the Chair of DSCA and the Standing Rapporteurs on Armenia and Azerbaijan on positive steps towards Armenia-Azerbaijan normalisation

Joint statement by

· the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND,

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Andrey KOVATCHEV, and

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, MEP Željana ZOVKO,

on positive steps towards Armenia-Azerbaijan normalisation

Strasbourg, 13 December 2023 - "We welcome the joint statement of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan of 7 December 2023, reconfirming the two countries' intention to normalise relations and conclude a peace treaty.

The statement represents a much-needed hopeful signal of a possible better future for the region, with important goodwill gestures of both countries. We welcome in particular the announcement of the release of 32 Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijan and two Azerbaijani prisoners by Armenia and expect them to be freed soon. In the same spirit of humanism, we encourage also the release of the remaining Armenian detainees and addressing the issue of missing persons as soon as possible.

The joint statement is a significant step towards building confidence that is necessary to reach a comprehensive peace treaty. We strongly encourage both countries to pursue their negotiations and we continue to fully support the efforts of the President of the European Council and of the European Union to facilitate the peace process, on the basis of mutual recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of borders, territorial integrity and non-use of force."

Joint statement on the European Commission recommendation of 8 November 2023 on the EU membership application of Georgia

Joint statement by:

  • the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND, and
  • the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Georgia, MEP Sven MIKSER,

on the European Commission recommendation of 8 November 2023 on the EU membership application of Georgia

Brussels, 8 November 2023 - "We welcome today's European Commission recommendation that Georgia be granted the status of EU candidate country on the understanding that it takes concrete steps in nine areas: address the issue of political polarisation; ensure a free, fair and competitive electoral process; improve parliamentary oversight of the security services and strengthen the independence and impartiality of state institutions; implement a comprehensive judicial reform; improve the institutional framework of the fight against corruption; implement the commitment to 'de-oligarchisation'; protect human rights, and notably the rights of vulnerable groups, media workers and civil activists; fight against disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference against the EU and its values; and improve Georgia's alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy.

Some of these tasks stem from the twelve priority areas already identified by the European Commission in its opinion on Georgia's application for EU membership of 17 June 2022, while others are new. Particularly, the call to improve the alignment of Georgia's foreign policy with that of the EU reflects Brussels' growing concern with the country's course.

Today's decision is a recognition of the ongoing commitment to the European future of Georgia by the vast majority of its people. We commend the efforts of President Salome Zourabichvili and the strong civil society of Georgia to further this cause. Yet, the Commission's recommendation is a reminder to Georgia's ruling party and government that their work is not yet done. The granting of the candidate status is an important stage on Georgia's European path, which can only lead to success if genuine progress is achieved. We expect the government to deliver the necessary results. We also expect representatives of the government and ruling party to put an end to their verbal attacks against Western partners, including Members of the European Parliament, who only want the best for Georgia.

We reiterate that accession to the EU is, for all countries, a merit-based process, conditioned on strict criteria. In many ways, the 2024 parliamentary elections will be a major democracy test for Georgia.

The EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee will continue to scrutinise closely the advancement of reforms in Georgia."

For further information contact:

Office of Ms Marina KALJURAND, tel. +32 2 284 53 94, e-mail: marina.kaljurand@ep.europa.eu

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 284 26 43, e-mail: DSCA@ep.europa.eu

Joint statement on the killing and abduction of Georgian citizens by Russian border guards in Kirbali

Joint statement by:

  • the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND, and
  • the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Georgia, MEP Sven MIKSER,

on the killing and abduction of Georgian citizens by Russian border guards in Kirbali

Brussels, 7 November 2023 - "We strongly condemn the killing of a Georgian citizen, Tamaz Gituri, and the abduction of another one, Levan Dotiashvili, by Russian border guards in the vicinity of the Administrative Boundary Line with the occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali / South Ossetia. The two villagers were attacked yesterday as they were heading for a local church that Russian occupation forces had denied ethnic Georgians access to earlier this year.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and call for the immediate release of the illegally detained citizen.

This tragic event is yet another illustration of the Russian regime's blatant disregard for international law and human life and the perils faced by the Georgian citizens living along the occupied regions. It also a stark reminder of the context in which the 'pragmatic' engagement with Russia, advocated by some in the government and the ruling party, is taking place.

We reiterate our unwavering support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgian within its internationally recognised borders. We remain convinced that there is no alternative to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, including through the Geneva International Discussions, the activities of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia.

We reiterate our call on the Russian Federation, as the country exercising de facto control over the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali / South Ossetia, to reverse its illegal recognition of the so-called 'Republics', to halt the rampant 'borderisation' process, to see that the perpetrators of serious human rights violations are brought to justice, and to fulfil its obligations under the 2008 EU-mediated ceasefire agreement, notably by withdrawing its forces back to the pre-conflict positions and to grant the EUMM unfettered access to the occupied region."

For further information contact:

Office of Ms Marina KALJURAND, tel. +32 2 284 53 94, e-mail: marina.kaljurand@ep.europa.eu

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 284 26 43, e-mail: DSCA@ep.europa.eu

Speech by MEP Marina KALJURAND on "Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia"

Speech by MEP Marina KALJURAND, Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus,

at the plenary debate on

"Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan's attack and the continuing threats against Armenia"

Strasbourg, 3 October 2023

President, Commissioner, Minister, Colleagues

Once again, we are discussing the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Tomorrow we will vote on a resolution. In this context, I would like to underline a couple of points:

First, the EU should reconsider its relations with Azerbaijan and make them conditional. We have to stop with appeasement: there must be immediate consequences for the Aliyev regime.

A year ago, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was in Baku standing next to President Aliyev and praising Azerbaijan for being the EU's "reliable economic partner".

Today, the Commission must make it crystal clear that Azerbaijan's actions, starting with military actions and concluding with forced displacement of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, that de facto constitutes ethnic cleansing, are not acceptable. The EU should stand behind its core values - international law and a rules-based international order.

The High Representative promised a "strong response". The EU has political leverage and has to use it. The EU's "strong response" should include:

- sanctioning of responsible Azerbaijani authorities,

- halt of negotiations on a new EU-Azerbaijan agreement,

- halt of visa facilitation agreement, and

- suspension of the gas deal.

Second, Armenia needs today the EU's substantial political and financial support more than ever before. To deal with not only the immediate challenge of taking care of the refugees, but in particular to withstand Russia's pressure and discourage any aggression from Baku.

The EEAS should consider increasing the capacity of the EU Mission in Armenia and convince Azerbaijan to expand it to Azerbaijan's territory. This can be crucial for preventing a new escalation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

It is time to upgrade CEPA (Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement) and consider visa liberalisation agreement with Armenia.

And yes, Armenia should be given a clear European perspective in a longer perspective. This is not easy and Armenia has to face some challenging questions, like customs union and CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization). But it is doable with the EU's support to Armenia's democratic path.

Finally, I hope that the human sufferings, we all have witnessed, will have an impact on the coming meeting in Granada, and in particular, on political will of president Aliyev to conclude a peace agreement that will bring peace and stability to the region, as well as protect human rights of Armenians who decide to return to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Thank you!


Joint statement on Azerbaijan’s attack on Nagorno-Karabakh

Joint statement by

· the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, MEP David McALLISTER,

· the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND,

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Andrey KOVATCHEV, and

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, MEP Željana ZOVKO,

on Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno-Karabakh

Brussels, 19 September 2023 - "We condemn in the strongest terms today's pre-planned and unjustified attack of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh. We deplore the loss of life in reported landmine explosions earlier in the day and express our condolences to the families of the victims. However, this under no circumstances justifies Azerbaijan's large-scale military escalation. The clearly pre-planned attack, reported along the entire line of contact, coming just hours after the blasts and following weeks of observed Azerbaijani military build-up and aggressive rhetoric, is totally unacceptable.

We call for the immediate halt of all military actions. Direct negotiations between Baku and Stepanakert are the only way to achieve progress on the relations between the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and Azerbaijan and the EU has always been ready to support this process.

We deplore the fact that Baku's offensive seriously undermines the ongoing peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and urge the President of Azerbaijan to accept recent calls of the Armenian Prime Minister for the resumption of talks at the highest level.

We recall that the attack takes place in the context of a major humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, following Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor for the past nine months, in violation of Baku's commitments under the ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020 and of the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice. Humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh needs to be fully and permanently restored.

We are seriously concerned about the consequences of Azerbaijan's actions on the civilian population and urge Azerbaijan to refrain from using military escalation as a pretext to force the exodus of the local population. In the absence of an immediate halt to the ongoing attack, we call on the Council to fundamentally reconsider the EU's relations with Azerbaijan in this light, and consider imposing sanctions against responsible Azerbaijani authorities."

Speech by MEP Marina Kaljurand on the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu

Speech by MEP Marina KALJURAND, Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, at the plenary debate on

"The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan"

Strasbourg, 13 September 2023

Madam President, Commissioner, Colleagues

I join my voice to protest against the brutal arrest and continued detention of Dr Ibadoghlu based on highly dubious charges. I also join my voice to call for the immediate release of Dr Ibadoghlu.

Regrettably, this is not the first time we discuss human rights situation in Azerbaijan.

The European Court of Human Rights stated in 2018 that "there is a troubling pattern of arbitrary arrest and detention of government critics /.../ through misuse of criminal law".

Unfortunately, today the situation is even worse. There are over 200 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, while many more face ongoing prosecution cases, administrative detentions and harassment by the authorities. That is not acceptable, especially for a country that wants to be a strategic partner of the EU.

Deepening of EU-Azerbaijan relations should be conditional on significant improvement of human rights situation and aligned with the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.

Thank you!

Joint statement on the arrest of Gubad Ibadoghlu and the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan

Joint statement by

· the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND, and

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, MEP Željana ZOVKO,

on the arrest of Gubad Ibadoghlu and the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan

Brussels, 21 August 2023 - "We are seriously concerned by the arrest and rapidly deteriorating health of Mr Gubad Ibadoghlu, a well-known Azerbaijani scholar and opposition leader. Mr Ibadoghlu was arrested on 23 July 2023 on counterfeiting charges and remains in detention, reportedly with limited access to food and vitally needed medication, subject to humiliating treatment and strict limitations of contacts with his family and lawyer, in violation of his fundamental rights. We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to provide him with urgently needed health care and medication without delay and we call for his immediate release.

The case of Gubad Ibadoghlu highlights the state of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan and its further deterioration in recent months, as noted in the European Parliament's resolution of 15 March 2023. Credible independent organisations currently list as many as 200 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, detained based on doubtful charges, including opposition politicians, as well as well-known independent journalists and civil rights activists, such as Polad Aslanov and Bakhtiyar Hajiyev. In this context, we deplore also the ongoing criminal case against prominent human rights lawyer Elchin Sadiqov and the suspension of his bar license as of 6 July 2023. We urge the immediate release of all political prisoners and the dropping of all politically motivated charges.

We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to uphold fundamental freedoms and human rights and we note that their continuous failure to do so significantly harms the country's international image and credibility."

For further information contact:

Office of Ms Marina KALJURAND, tel. +32 2 284 53 94, e-mail: marina.kaljurand@ep.europa.eu

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 284 26 43, e-mail: DSCA@ep.europa.eu

Joint statement on the 15th anniversary of the Russian aggression against Georgia of August 2008

Joint statement by:

· the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND, and

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Georgia, MEP Sven MIKSER

on the 15th anniversary of the Russian aggression against Georgia of August 2008

Brussels, 7 August 2023 - "Fifteen years have passed since the Russian aggression of August 2008 against Georgia. Since then, tens of thousands of Georgian citizens - no matter their ethnicity - have been obliged to live under Russia's yoke, deprived of their fundamental rights and in impoverished conditions.

Today, we reiterate our unwavering commitment and support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

In light of the Kremlin's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and its hybrid destabilisation manoeuvres against many other countries, including NATO and EU Member States and our Eastern Neighbours, we see how the international community's fainthearted response in 2008 has emboldened the Kremlin to further violate international law with a view to preventing other countries from choosing freely their own destiny.

In blatant violation of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, the Russian Federation continues to occupy 20% of Georgia's territory, where it has established puppet statelets.

We commend Georgia for its laudable readiness for dialogue, as illustrated by the pragmatic 'A Step to a Better Future' peace initiative, and note with deep concern the further aggravation of the human rights situation in the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia. We remain convinced that there is no alternative to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, including through the Geneva International Discussions, the activities of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia. We reiterate our call on the Russian Federation, as the country exercising de facto control over the occupied regions, to reverse its illegal recognition of the so-called 'Republics', to halt the rampant 'borderisation' process, to see that the perpetrators of serious human rights violations are brought to justice, and to fulfil its obligations under the 2008 EU-mediated ceasefire agreement, notably by withdrawing its forces back to the pre-conflict positions and to grant the EUMM unfettered access to the occupied regions.

Today, we remember the sacrifices made by Georgia's military personnel and civil population in 2008 and the lingering painful effects of the war. As the Russian Federation continues its illegal presence in and occupation of Georgia's territory, it is imperative to focus on the strategic goal of Euro-Atlantic integration, overwhelmingly supported by the Georgian people, instead of courting Moscow in the pursuit of short-term economic opportunities that aim to distract the country from its chosen path. We would like to see Georgia strengthen its bonds with the European Union and other like-minded partners based on our common values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights.

We reiterate our call on Georgia's political and institutional stakeholders to unite their forces in implementing the key reforms in line with the twelve priorities identified by the European Commission, which are necessary not only for Georgia's continued European integration, but also a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for its people."

For further information contact:

Office of Ms Marina KALJURAND,

tel. +32 2 284 53 94, e-mail: marina.kaljurand@ep.europa.eu

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 284 26 43, e-mail: DSCA@ep.europa.eu

Joint statement on Armenia and Azerbaijan on the serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Joint statement by

· the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND,

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Andrey KOVATCHEV, and

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, MEP Željana ZOVKO,

on the serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Brussels, 1 August 2023 - "We are deeply worried by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijan's ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor in violation of its commitments under the ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020 and of the legally binding ruling of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023, reaffirmed on 6 July 2023.

For almost eight months already, the local population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been suffering the consequences of the blockade, surviving only thanks to local production and to essential humanitarian supplies, notably by the ICRC. Azerbaijan's extension of the blockade to humanitarian supplies in recent weeks has now led to the scarcity of basic foodstuffs, life-saving medical products and other essential goods, while the shortage of fuel has disrupted local production and distribution. Medical evacuations by the ICRC have been disrupted as well. The estimated 120 000 inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh are facing a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention from the international community.[...]