Ten European Parliament officials are planning to give an investigative visit to the Armenian cemetery of Julfa (Jougha, Djulfa) between 17 and 21 April, 2006, A1+ reports. The decision was announced during a 6 April 2006 conference by the European Parliament leadership. The ancient cemetery was destroyed in December of 2005 by the Azerbaijani army and replaced by a rifle range.

The Azerbaijani government has continuously denied the evidence regarding the vandalism and has “ruled out” the possibility of any foreign visit to Julfa.

The delegates are as followed:

Mme Marie-Anne Isler-Béguin, présidente (Verts, France)
M. Arpad Duka-Zolyomi, vice-président (PPE, Slovaquie)
M. Alessandro Battilocchio (NI, Italie)
M. Johannes Blokand (IND/DEM, Pays-Bas)
Mme Frederika Brepoels (PPE, Belgique)
M. Robert Evans (PSE, R.-U.)
Mme Siiri Oviir (ALDE, Estonie)
Mme Gabriele Stauer (PPE, Allemagne)
M. Hannes Swoboda (PSE, Autriche)
M. Tadeusz Zwiefka (PPE, Pologne)

They have not received a permission from the Azerbaijani authorities to visit Julfa. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!