Azerbaijan summons Belgian, Dutch ambassadors over parliamentary resolutions Strong protest lodged in Baku / UPDATED

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has summoned ambassadors of Belgium and the Netherlands on April 20, following the adoption of parliamentary documents in both countries that Baku says undermine its sovereignty and the ongoing peace process with Armenia.

Belgian Ambassador Julien de Fraipont and Dutch Ambassador Marianne de Jong were received separately, where the Azerbaijani side lodged a strong protest over the resolutions adopted on April 16, Caliber.Az reports, citing the ministry.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the documents were described as “yet another reckless attempt to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as well as the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

During the meetings, Azerbaijani officials stressed that the parliamentary statements were “based on utterly false and unfounded assessments, reflecting a deeply rooted anti-Azerbaijani bias within these institutions.”

It was further stated that the claims contained in the documents “constitute gross violations of international law and represent blatant interference in the rule of law.”

Baku also firmly rejected what it called “falsified references concerning the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan,” as well as “all baseless accusations alleging violations of Armenia’s territorial integrity, the rights of ethnic Armenians, and claims regarding the so-called unlawful detention of persons of Armenian origin.”

The Azerbaijani side additionally noted what it called the “paradoxical” timing of the resolutions, as they coincided with the recent meeting between the speakers of the Azerbaijani and Armenian parliaments.

Concluding the meetings, the Belgian and Dutch sides were urged to take measures to prevent what Baku described as “anti-Azerbaijani groups within their respective parliaments from damaging bilateral relations.”

By Vugar Khalilov