The Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted a unanimous resolution on July 17, strongly condemning Azerbaijan’s military aggression against the Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and its violations of international law.
According to an Armenpress correspondent in Brussels, the resolution states that Azerbaijan’s actions in Artsakh contradict fundamental principles of international law. The document calls for respect for the territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan as a foundation for achieving lasting peace in the region.
The resolution also denounces the Azerbaijani government’s threats and hostile rhetoric, particularly in the context of its so-called “Western Azerbaijan” narrative. Lawmakers expressed concern over the continued detention and opaque legal proceedings against former leaders of Artsakh, demanding their release and the guarantee of fair trials.
Belgium’s parliament urged Azerbaijan to preserve Artsakh’s cultural and religious heritage and called for a UNESCO fact-finding mission to be allowed into the region to assess potential damage.
While welcoming steps toward a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the resolution emphasized the urgency of concluding such an agreement and urged all parties to fully respect its terms.
The Belgian legislature called on its government to support an international investigation into potential war crimes, expand consular representation in Armenia, and strengthen both humanitarian and defense cooperation with Yerevan.
On a broader scale, the resolution urges the European Union to consider targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights abuses and to expand the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia. It also suggests reconsidering EU-Azerbaijan relations if Baku fails to demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace.
Michel De Maegd, a co-author of the resolution and member of the Belgian parliament, underscored its importance in an interview with Armenpress. He contrasted Azerbaijan’s ongoing preconditions with Armenia’s consistent openness to dialogue.
“Belgium must continue to stand for law and justice. Armenia seeks only one thing — respect for its sovereignty,” De Maegd said. “This resolution is not only a call for peace and accountability but also a strong message of friendship between our two nations.”
