Annoying "splinters" of European Parliament - continue to harm or cooperate with Azerbaijan?

As a member of the European family, Azerbaijan is cooperating with European structures in a number of areas.

Baku is an active participant in various programs of NATO and the European Union (EU). Azerbaijan has been cooperating with NATO since October 14, 1996 under the Individual Partnership Program (PIP), joined the Alliance's peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

The country is one of the six former Soviet republics that have joined the EU's Eastern Partnership program since May 7, 2009.

Baku's relations and cooperation with the European Union Council and the Commission of the European Union are appreciated.

European Council President Charles Michel recently mediated the direct meetings of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is really important.

Charles Michel always emphasizes the importance of peace and cooperation in the region, and in this matter his approach is in line with the position of official Baku.

The European Commission is also expanding its cooperation with Azerbaijan. On July 18 of this year, Azerbaijan and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership in the field of energy. This document is Azerbaijan's contribution to ensuring the security and territorial integrity of the Union.

The EU consists of three structures: the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission.

On July 19, President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by the Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Relations, David McAllister.

The head of state criticized the anti-Azerbaijani position of some members of the European Parliament, calling it unfounded:

"Accusations, insults and false information were circulated against us. I have even forgotten the number of anti-Azerbaijani resolutions adopted by the European Parliament at different times. We are probably talking about more than 10 resolutions. In particular, a resolution was adopted after the Patriotic War. This is particularly worrying because the resolution refers to the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Karabakh. This is not true."

We have not forgotten the recent attacks of the European Parliament on Azerbaijan, especially during the 44-day war and after it.

On March 10, the European Parliament adopted a resolution full of lies about the alleged "destruction" of the Armenian cultural heritage in Karabakh by the Azerbaijani side.

This is not the first trick of European parliamentarians against Azerbaijan. Members of this structure made illegal visits to the Azerbaijani city of Khankandi during the period of occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, held meetings with separatists. However, the members of the organization have never mentioned the 30-year long destruction and desecration of religious temples and cultural monuments of Azerbaijan by Armenians. During this time, the MEPs kept silent about the destruction by Armenians of residential buildings, kindergartens, hospitals, other social, cultural and administrative buildings. Armenians destroyed the cultural and religious monuments of Azerbaijan not only in the occupied lands, but also in their own country, Armenianized geographic and historical names and toponyms.

Parliamentarians are elected by the voters of their countries. It also means that they have the right to speak on behalf of the citizens of their country. By making biased statements, defending the occupiers, spreading disinformation, these deputies abuse the trust of their voters.

For many years, the European Parliament tried in every possible way to drive a wedge between the EU and Azerbaijan, supported the invaders and separatists. But now the situation has changed. Those who spoke nonsense yesterday from the rostrum of the parliament, trying to denigrate Azerbaijan, today are forced to put up with reality. Therefore, in the future, the European Parliament, like other EU structures, will take steps to expand cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU. Otherwise, these European parliamentarians will resemble annoying "thorns" that harm the EU itself more than help it establish relations with Azerbaijan.