EU-Azerbaijan: Dialogue in Active Phase

Baku / 12.02.18 / Turan: The relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan, which began in 1991, are restarting. The agreement signed at that time allowed the parties to lay the foundation for business cooperation in the spheres of political dialogue, trade, investment, economy, legislation and culture.

Today, the situation, both in the world and in Azerbaijan has changed markedly. New realities require updating the content of cooperation. It was decided to sign a new comprehensive agreement of the EU with Azerbaijan. It will reflect today's common goals and problems for the partners. The course of the talks in an exclusive interview to the agency Turan was told by the Ambassador of the European Union in Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas.

-How do you assess the current level of cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan? Are there misunderstandings or problems in relationships, and how to overcome them?

-The level of our relations at the moment is very good. I just returned this morning (February 11- Turan) from the next meeting of the Cooperation Council, which took place in Brussels on Friday. Azerbaijan was represented by Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, and the EU - by the High Commissioner, Mrs. Federica Mogerini. This is the 15th meeting within the framework of the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council. The previous meeting was held in 2013. There was such an interval in the dialogue between the parties, although the meetings were to be held annually.

I am glad that the meeting of the Council was held. A number of important issues were discussed. An exchange of views took place on the situation in the region, and the partnership level in a number of relevant areas was discussed. EU Energy Commissioner Maros Shefcovic will arrive in Baku to attend a conference of the ministers of the countries on the Southern Gas Corridor, which will be held this week, on Thursday, February 15. The Vice President of the European Investment Bank Vazil Hudak will arrive with him. The EIB last week allocated another loan to the Azerbaijani government for the construction of a pipeline within the framework of the TAP project.

Last week, high-ranking EU representatives on transport visited Baku. Detailed talks were held on the entire structure of this industry - sea, rail, road, air transport. Azerbaijan forms a transport hub and the EU is interested in transporting goods from the Asian region to Europe via the South Caucasus. The creation of a common aviation space is aimed at the opening and integration of aviation markets, which will lead to new opportunities for consumers and operators and, most importantly, to high standards in terms of flight safety, as well as air traffic management.

An agreement was reached that this year the EU will hold a dialogue on transport projects with the leadership of Azerbaijan, as well as on security issues. Such intensive meetings on a wide range of areas of partnership between Baku and Brussels raise mutual relations to a higher level.

- When will the contacts between the parties on security issues take place?

I cannot say the exact date. First of all, it is necessary to decide on the agenda and the date of the planned meeting.

-You talked about the economic and trade aspects of the meeting between Mammadyarov and Mogherini. And what will you say about the political bloc of negotiations?

-The meeting of the Cooperation Council touched upon the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, as well as issues of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

- So was the situation in Azerbaijan related to the protection of human rights, political prisoners and the persecution of journalists discussed?

-I can say that there was a frank dialogue on such topics. For the EU, there are fundamental principles in the field of democracy and freedom of speech. They are very important and we pay special attention to them. We have to overcome difficulties and move on. -0-