Hundreds of people rallied near the European Parliament’s headquarters in Brussels today to celebrate the 31st anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

They demanded that the European Union and the international community unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan’s recent aggression against Armenia and impose sanctions on Azerbaijani political and military leaders.

French-Armenian actor and director Serge Avédikian, who attended the rally, told Hetq that Belgian and Dutch MEPs European Parliament, Belgian, Dutch, who expressed their indignation regarding the gas contract signed by the EU with Azerbaijan, saying that are ashamed of the EU position regarding Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenia.

Some Dutch MEPs, who have visited Armenia, said that they will never leave Armenia and its people alone, and they cannot imagine that the towns of Goris, Jermuk might be seized by Azerbaijani troops.

The MEPs, according to Avédikian, noted that the Armenian government is not properly dealing with the threats posed by Azerbaijan.

Avédikian said rallygoers were troubled by today’s police action at Yerevan’s Yerablur Pantheon removing people who tried to prevent PM Nikol Pashinyan from entering the site.

Nevertheless, the speakers called on Armenians to be united and focus on resistance.

The rally was organized by the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).

Top photo courtesy of Serge Avédikian