EU could review Azerbaijan ties if NK crisis worsens – Reuters
The European Union could review ties, including financial aid, with Azerbaijan and sanction individuals if the situation worsens following Baku's military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh, Reuters reported citing an EU diplomatic service paper.
According to Reuters, the paper said the EU could reconsider political engagement, financial assistance and sectoral cooperation, without being more specific. It does not mention Azerbaijan's energy sector.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and many leaders of the 27-nation bloc condemned the operation. But diplomats say there are disagreements among EU countries over whether to take firmer diplomatic or political action. The EU's search for a response is complicated by its moves to rely more on Azerbaijani oil and gas as it has moved away from Russian energy due to Moscow's war in Ukraine.
The paper, prepared by the European External Action Service and seen by Reuters, outlines further possible reaction but is cautious in tone.
It says that if the situation deteriorates, the EU could consider a review of its relations with Azerbaijan "on the basis of a gradual approach".
"In case serious human rights violations are committed, restrictive measures against individuals responsible for such violations could be envisaged," the paper said.
A diplomat from a country favouring a tougher stance toward Azerbaijan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the document "reflects a balance of different positions of member states: We want more, but others do not want anything at all."
Diplomats say France, Germany and the Netherlands are among those pushing for strong signals of disapproval toward Baku while others such as Austria and Hungary are at the opposite end of the spectrum.
A second diplomat said the EU may not end up doing much more than condemning Azerbaijan's action and instead focus on supporting Armenia, economically and possibly with military aid.
The paper suggested the EU consider "political and economic actions to further support the democratically elected authorities of Armenia, including in the area of security and resilience, and the continuation of the democratic reforms".
Related news
UN Security Council to vote on new Gaza ceasefire resolution
Prolonged negotiations have led the UN Security Council to postpone to Tuesday a vote on a resolution that had sought a new ceasefire in Gaza, diplomatic sources said, IP reports.
In 2 years we will have a fully protected Tbilisi sky: Juansher Burchuladze
According to the Minister of Defense of Georgia, Juansher Burchuladze, in 2023, the Ministry of Defense signed important purchases in terms of strengthening the defense capability, which is responsible for the medium-term and long-term development of the Defense Forces, Interpressnews reports.
We support sincere efforts to establish peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Minister of Defense of Turkey
On December 16, Minister of National Defense of Turkey Yaşar Güler held a year-end closing meeting with media representatives and answered their questions, 1lurer reports.
Rational use of historical opportunity will allow us to achieve long-awaited peace: Ali Asadov
Azerbaijan is determined to continue its efforts to strengthen peace and security in the region, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov said at the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Moscow, Azerbaijani media reports.
New objectives of Turkey and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus
The last three years have brought significant changes in the geopolitics of the South Caucasus. The most important of them was the destruction of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan. At the same time, the positions of external actors have strengthened, which occurred synchronously with Azerbaijan's attempts to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem by force, APRI Armenia Research Fellow Sergei Melkonian says, IRNA reports.
Azerbaijan determined to advance the normalization and peace process with Armenia - Bayramov
Azerbaijan is determined to advance the normalization and peace process with Armenia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, stated this during his speech at the 47th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, which took place in a video conference format, the Azerbaijani media reports, ARMENPRESS reports.
