On December 9, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement criticizing the newly signed "Strategic Agenda for EU–Armenia Partnership," arguing that the document contradicts the ongoing peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The ministry stated that several priorities in the EU–Armenia agenda "distort post-conflict realities" and contain provisions that "target Azerbaijan," which Baku views as unacceptable in a bilateral framework. The MFA argues that such elements negatively affect Azerbaijan–EU relations.

Azerbaijan rejected the description of "Karabakh Armenians displaced following Azerbaijan’s military operations," insisting that the individuals left voluntarily after refusing Azerbaijan’s reintegration proposals and should not be classified as "refugees." Baku said presenting this issue as a partnership priority illustrates "bias against Azerbaijan."

The ministry also criticized the document’s support for the implementation of International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings, arguing that this clearly refers to Armenian claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan noted that such matters are bilateral and should not appear in an EU–Armenia agenda, adding that Baku also has its own ongoing legal proceedings against Yerevan. It stated that referencing these issues contradicts the draft peace agreement initialed in Washington D.C., which reportedly contains an article on eliminating such claims.

Another point of contention was the document’s identification of certain Armenians held in Azerbaijan as "prisoners of war" and the call for their release. Azerbaijan maintains these individuals were convicted of crimes against humanity and war crimes, calling the EU language "a distortion of realities."

The ministry further stated that the EU–Armenia agenda supports Armenia’s "Crossroads of Peace" initiative but makes no mention of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) project, an arrangement agreed during the August 8 Washington D.C. Summit. Azerbaijan said this omission raises doubts about Armenia’s commitment to TRIPP and the EU’s stated support for it.

The decision to maintain and "fully operationalize" the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) was also criticized. Azerbaijan argued that, under Article 7 of the draft peace agreement, neither party should allow third-party forces along the Armenia–Azerbaijan border. Baku views EUMA as being used "as a propaganda tool against Azerbaijan." The statement also expressed concern that the document places emphasis on military and defense cooperation, which it says could encourage Armenia’s militarization.

In conclusion, the Azerbaijani MFA said the provisions revive elements of the former conflict "despite positive progress" since August 8 and cast doubt on Armenia’s intentions. Azerbaijan called on both Armenia and the EU to remove what it described as harmful and unrealistic provisions, stating it will continue to monitor developments and “draw the necessary conclusions.”