EU's selective justice: Pro-Armenian agenda clouds genuine diplomacy Peace process stalled by anti-Azerbaijani bias

EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper, in an interview with Armenian media, accused Azerbaijan, calling for an "immediate investigation into the ill-treatment of Armenian POWs and detainees." 

"It is of great importance that Azerbaijan ensures the right to a fair trial and adequate detention conditions, in line with its international commitments. The alleged war crimes and other offences need to be investigated in a transparent manner. We are aware that the Armenian government and others, namely human rights organisations, have expressed concerns over the treatment of the defendants. We take these concerns very seriously and are closely following the developments. Azerbaijani authorities should promptly and impartially investigate all allegations of ill-treatment and if so, hold those responsible to account," said Hipper.

These emotional statements from the EU representative clearly reflect the one-sided, pro-Armenian stance of the European Union. The allegations made are unsupported by facts and are based on disinformation from the Armenian side, highlighting the EU’s conscious bias toward Yerevan. Moreover, it remains unclear why Brussels only invokes international law when it aligns with Armenia’s interests. A reasonable question arises: why, during 30 years of Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories, did the EU never demand from Armenia any information regarding the fate of our prisoners and hostages, despite Azerbaijan’s repeated appeals? Such selective action is far from what we consider genuine international law. The EU, it seems, simply ignored this matter, revealing that Azerbaijan’s interests hold no weight for them.

This incident once again underscores the double standards that Azerbaijan faces today. Over decades of Armenian occupation, the EU never made a single statement in support of Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, in the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and other institutions, resolutions with a clear bias continue to be passed, all pushed by the Armenian lobby with generous financial backing.

Here’s a fresh example of the European Union’s double standards. On March 12, the European Parliament in Strasbourg held a session discussing the so-called "Armenian prisoners" in Baku under the topic, "Illegal arrests and sham trials of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan, including senior political representatives of the ‘NKR’." Just one day later, the European Parliament quickly passed a provocative resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s "inhumane treatment of Armenian prisoners," demanding their "immediate and unconditional release."

Adding fuel to the fire, the European Parliament proposed suspending the cooperation memorandum between Baku and Brussels in the energy sector, citing international obligations such as the Geneva Conventions and the European Convention on Human Rights — documents that Armenia itself has systematically violated. It’s clear that these resolutions are being pushed by the Armenian lobby, and this is precisely why Azerbaijan has every right to address its grievances directly to the EU. The EU is turning a blind eye to the political corruption within its ranks, allowing legislative bodies to be used as a platform for promoting Armenian interests on the world stage.

And it doesn't stop there. The EU is also looking to funnel financial assistance to Armenia through the European Peace Facility (EPF). Officially, the EPF is meant to enhance the defence capabilities of non-EU countries, prevent conflicts, and promote peace. But in practice, it’s becoming a tool to stoke tensions in the South Caucasus. Established in 2021 with a budget of 5.6 billion euros until 2027, the EPF is a scaled-up version of previous military aid mechanisms, such as the “African Peace Facility.” Caliber.Az has reported that this fund is meant to provide military assistance to foreign entities, but in reality, it has failed to resolve any security issues. In fact, France — a key EU member and Armenia’s close ally — has used the EPF to send arms to Yerevan.

It’s also reported that the EU is now considering providing more aid to Armenia — allegedly to protect civilians, but in reality, it’s about strengthening Armenia's military capabilities. These actions directly contradict the EU’s supposed commitment to promoting peace.

The activities of the so-called "EU monitoring mission" have sparked serious concerns, as it is perceived to work in Armenia’s favour. Azerbaijan has repeatedly voiced its dissatisfaction with the mission's operations, which are not coordinated with the Azerbaijani authorities. Baku has gathered ample evidence of the mission’s disruptive actions. Recently, new footage surfaced showing a convoy of EU vehicles heading toward Lachin and Zangilan. Earlier, in January, a video was captured showing mission staff in EU-branded vehicles monitoring Azerbaijani territories in the Gazakh region. Despite Baku’s objections, the European Union extended the mission’s mandate for an additional two years.

The most ironic part of all this is that, at an official level, the EU continues to maintain a facade of neutrality. In January 2025, Anitta Hipper, the EU spokesperson, assured Armenian media of the EU’s commitment to facilitating long-term peace between Baku and Yerevan. This sentiment had previously been echoed by the EU’s special representative, Magdalena Grono, during her visits to the region. On January 9, EU Council President António Costa also offered similar reassurances during a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. In her latest interview, Hipper reiterated that the EU would support the normalization of relations using all available tools.

Yet, the reality tells a different story. The EU, particularly France, continues to actively arm Armenia, thus undermining Azerbaijan’s peace efforts. Baku is drawing its conclusions not from diplomatic rhetoric, but from the concrete actions taken by the EU. The EU’s overtly pro-Armenian stance erodes trust in its ability to mediate and casts doubt on the sincerity of its claims to support lasting peace in the South Caucasus. The facts speak for themselves.