Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001799/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Michalis Hadjipantela (PPE)
On 6 July 2024, Azerbaijan hosted an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which was attended by the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The Azerbaijani government also invited the so-called president of the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, the Turkish Cypriot secessionist entity that is not internationally recognised. The summit was held, coincidentally, on the 50th anniversary of the 1974 invasion by Türkiye.
Inviting the Turkish Cypriot leader as a ‘head of state’ is provocative and suggests indirect recognition of the secessionist entity. It also contravenes relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law and the democratic principles on which the European Union is founded.
The EU remains Azerbaijan’s largest foreign donor and investor in both governmental and civil society sectors, despite Azerbaijan’s human rights record, particularly concerning Armenia. Nonetheless, the EU continues to emphasise the importance of upholding human rights and protecting freedoms of expression, assembly and the media in Azerbaijan.
In view of this:
- 1.What actions will the Commission take, given Azerbaijan’s violations of international law and disregard for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cyprus, an EU Member State?
- 2.Will the Commission assess and/or suspend its aid to and investment in Azerbaijan?
Submitted: 24.9.2024