MEPs, parliamentarians express concern over EU Foreign Policy Chief’s upcoming visit to Baku

A group of MEPs and parliamentarians from various European countries have expressed concern and criticized the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, regarding her official visit to Azerbaijan on April 25. The deputies shared their views in posts on X.

Cypriot MEP Loucas Fourlas noted in his post:

“The planned visit of European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas to Azerbaijan on April 25 raises serious concerns. This visit comes amid Azerbaijan’s continued cross-border violence, the illegal detention of Armenian civilians, and open threats against the EU Mission in Armenia.”

French National Assembly member Isabelle Santiago wrote that on the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, it is scandalous to learn that the EU High Representative is traveling to Azerbaijan on April 25, while Armenian prisoners remain in Baku prisons.

Spanish parliamentarian Francesc-Marc Álvaro noted in his post that the visit of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to Baku on April 25 causes great concern:

“The human rights situation in Azerbaijan is poor, and this visit could damage relations between the EU and Armenia, a key partner with a strong commitment to peace.”

Another member of the Spanish parliament, Jon Iñarritu, wrote:

"While Azerbaijan violates human rights and international law, Kaja Kallas is on an official visit to Baku. Other countries in the Caucasus promote democracy and peace, but the EU prioritizes an authoritarian and aggressive dictatorship."

Former German Bundestag member Michael Roth also questioned Kaja Kallas in his post, asking whether gas is more important to Europe than a pro-European commitment:

“You visit the authoritarian regime in Baku and avoid democracy in Yerevan. While Azerbaijan rejects our values, Armenia moves closer to the European Union. What is the state of strategic thinking in Brussels?”

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas will visit Azerbaijan on April 25.

During the visit, Kallas is scheduled to hold several high-level talks and meet with the Young European Ambassadors.