MEPs urge caution on Azerbaijani gas imports amid concerns over Azerbaijan-Russia ties, human rights abuses

In a resolution adopted on October 24, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed concerns about Azerbaijan's human rights record and its growing ties with Moscow amidst Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

The resolution calls for any future EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement to be conditional upon Baku's release of political prisoners, the implementation of legal reforms, significant improvement in its human rights record, and active engagement in peace negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh.

Citing Azerbaijan's ongoing human rights abuses and concerns that increased EU gas imports from Azerbaijan might lead Baku to compensate with Russian gas imports, MEPs have called for an end to the EU's reliance on Azerbaijani gas. They have also urged the European Commission to suspend the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on the Strategic Partnership in the field of energy between the EU and Azerbaijan.