Greek MEP Maria Zacharia submitted written question to High Representative Kaja Kallas, questioning whether the EU’s expanding strategic energy and transport ties with Azerbaijan violate Articles 2, 3(5), 18, and 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). These articles legally bind EU foreign policy to uphold human rights and the rule of law.
Zacharia highlighted the ongoing detention of Armenian political prisoners from Nagorno-Karabakh and concerns over fair trial rights, asking:
🟥On what legal basis is deepening relations with Azerbaijan compatible with TEU obligations?
🟥What sanctions, restrictions, or conditionality has the EU imposed regarding the detained Armenians, and if none, how does that align with the Treaties?
🟥Has the EU obtained a formal legal assessment confirming treaty compliance, and will it be made public?
High Representative Kaja Kallas responded on behalf of the European Commission on 25 August 2026, stating that human rights and the rule of law remain integral to relations under the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and are regularly raised with Baku.
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She emphasized that the EU has closely followed the trials of Karabakh Armenians, urging Azerbaijan to guarantee due process, fair trial rights, and proper detention conditions. Rather than imposing sanctions or restrictions, the EU supports the bilateral normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, claiming that progress since the initialing of their peace treaty on 8 August 2025 has already yielded tangible results, including detainee releases and lifted trade and transit restrictions.
EAFJD – European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy