BAKU. Oct 2 (Interfax) - The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry summoned European Union Ambassador Peter Michalko on Friday to hand him a note of protest over the European Parliament's resolution of October 24 concerning the situation in the country.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also described remarks by European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicholas Schmit as unfounded and biased.
The ministry said in a statement that it strongly denounced the European Parliament's resolution, insisting that the continuing smear campaign against Azerbaijan through various EU institutions, the statements and steps targeted against its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and interference in its internal affairs encourage revanchism in Armenia, thereby harming peace efforts in the region.
"Azerbaijan builds its relations with the European Union on the basis of norms and principles of international law, mutual respect, equality and common benefit and calls on the other side to strictly follow these fundamental principles," the ministry said.
The ministry also asked the European Union to refrain from impartial steps violating Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and interfering in its internal affairs.
The European Parliament on October 24 passed a resolution on the situation in Azerbaijan, breaches of human rights and international law in the country, and its relations with Armenia. The document was supported by 453 out of the 573 lawmakers present, with 31 votes against and 89 abstentions.