At a time when the peace agenda in the South Caucasus is being actively discussed, the documents adopted by the parliaments of the Netherlands and Belgium regarding Azerbaijan have triggered new political debates. As the signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia becomes a realistic prospect, such steps do not appear accidental and are widely seen as external interference in regional processes.
Speaking to ARB24 Television during the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov stated that these documents are political rather than legal in nature: “The aim here is not an objective legal assessment, but to promote certain political narratives aligned with specific interests. Such resolutions are not legally binding, but they serve as tools of political and informational pressure.”
According to Ahmad Shahidov, the timing is particularly notable: “Bringing up such initiatives at a stage when a peace agreement is within reach is an attempt to influence the negotiation process. The goal is to create additional pressure on Azerbaijan. However, these documents have no real practical impact; they mainly serve as symbolic support for revanchist forces within Armenia.”
