The European Union (EU) ambassador to Azerbaijan, Marijana Kujundzic, was summoned to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and handed a protest note over the “anti-Azerbaijani” resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday, the Azerbaijani MFA reported.

“During the meeting, the Azerbaijani side resolutely condemned the unfounded and biased provisions regarding our country contained in the European Parliament’s resolution of April 30. In this regard, the ambassador was handed a protest note,” the statement said.

It was noted that the provisions of the resolution distort reality, contradict the principles of objectivity, as well as the obligations to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.

“During the meeting, it was emphasized that such an approach of the European Parliament negatively affects the settlement process in the region, as well as the prospects for relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union,” the Azerbaijani MFA noted.

It added that the claims in the resolution about the return of Armenian residents to Nagorno-Karabakh are absolutely unfounded, and such calls are in the nature of interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan.

“The EU ambassador was informed that, despite the reintegration program presented in 2023 in accordance with the Constitution of Azerbaijan, Armenian residents have left the region voluntarily. Statements to the contrary are false,” the Azerbaijani MFA statement noted.

In addition, during the meeting, it was noted that calls for the release of persons of Armenian origin, who are presented as “prisoners of war,” are legally unacceptable.

The Azerbaijani MFA told the EU diplomat that Azerbaijan, guided by humanitarian principles, has released the majority of detainees and taken steps to strengthen trust with Armenia. At the same time, those convicted are accused of committing serious crimes, including terrorism, sabotage, and war crimes.

Also, the Azerbaijani MFA considers the allegations of “the destruction of the cultural and religious heritage of the Armenians” unacceptable and unfounded. At the same time, the department draws attention to the alleged large-scale destruction and desecration of Azerbaijani cultural and religious heritage of during the Azerbaijani territories’ “occupation” by Armenia have not been properly assessed by European institutions.

The Azerbaijani MFA called on the EU representative to prevent such steps, which harm Azerbaijani-European relations, as well as the peace and settlement process in the region.