The resolution presented at the plenary session of the European Parliament regarding the need for closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan was adopted with 504 votes in favor, four against, and 32 abstentions, Armenpress reports.

In the resolution, the deputies of the European Parliament welcome and accept Armenia's determined desire to strengthen relations with the EU and call on the executive bodies of the European Union, the European Commission, and the European Council to respond positively to this desire and continue to implement the new agreed agenda of the EU-Armenia partnership, emphasizing the ambitious joint priorities of cooperation—the need for active pursuit. The resolution states that it is time to start visa liberalization dialogue with Armenia.

Members of the European Parliament call to consider the possibility of granting Armenia the status of a candidate for EU membership. The MEPs are convinced that if Armenia is interested in receiving the candidate status and continues on the path of sustainable reforms strengthening its democracy, it can be the basis for a phase of transformation in EU-Armenia relations.

With the adopted resolution, the deputies of the CE call on the EU executive to actively support Armenia in increasing cooperation with the EU, not only in terms of economic partnership but also in terms of political dialogue, sectoral integration, and collaboration in the field of security.

The resolution condemns the invasion of the Azerbaijani military forces into the internationally recognized territory of Armenia and the continued occupation of some parts of it, and also reaffirms its demand to withdraw the Azerbaijani troops from the entire sovereign territory of Armenia. The members of the European Parliament are concerned about the statements by the President of Azerbaijan and other officials threatening the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia, including demanding an external corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan. The resolution emphasizes that the road connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan should be resolved respecting Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and once again reaffirms the EU's unequivocal support for Armenia's sovereignty and border integrity.

The resolution emphasizes that the EU should be ready to establish a regime of sanctions against those persons and organizations that threaten the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Armenia.

The resolution also addresses the importance of preserving the Armenian cultural, religious and historical heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh and expresses serious concern about its destruction, vandalism and desecration. Azerbaijan is called to preserve this cultural wealth, and UNESCO to take immediate measures to preserve and protect the endangered Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The resolution calls on Azerbaijan to sincerely engage with the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in a comprehensive and transparent dialogue to ensure respect for their rights and guarantee their safety, dignified and safe return to their homes under an international presence. Members of the European Parliament call on Azerbaijan to release all residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, who continue to remain in Azerbaijani custody. Also, it is called to immediately and effectively implement all the decisions of the International Court of Justice.

Reminding that Armenia is reviewing its CSTO membership, the resolution calls on the EU to respond positively to Armenia's request to support it through the European Peace Fund. The resolution emphasizes the importance and necessity of strengthening EU cooperation with Armenia in the field of security and defense.

The resolution reaffirms its support for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the principles of mutual recognition of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, demarcation of borders based on the relevant maps of the USSR General Staff, which were provided to the parties.

The resolution expresses its support for the resumption of negotiations on all pending issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the aim of concluding a peace agreement and calls on both sides to remain fully committed to achieving a lasting and peaceful settlement of the issue through dialogue and negotiations.

The resolution also refers to the tone of the statements of some EU officials and structures, which congratulated President Aliyev for his re-election, without mentioning the lack of democracy in Azerbaijan, especially since Azerbaijan is responsible for the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.