EU, Azerbaijan discuss security, rights
BAKU – The European Union and Azerbaijan held the first session of the joint Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom, Security and Human Rights and Democracy on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This marked the beginning of a process that will enhance exchange and dialogue with Azerbaijan on a range of critical issues, the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan said.
The meeting was co-chaired by Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev and John Kjaer, Head of Unit for Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Southern Caucasus at the European Commission.
The first day's meeting took stock of the implementation of the EU-Azerbaijan European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan in the field of democracy, good governance and human rights. It allowed an exchange of views on the human rights situation both in Azerbaijan and in the EU. The talks focused on a broad range of issues, including the national framework for the protection of human rights, the reform of the judiciary, elections, freedom of expression and information, freedom of assembly, including the functioning of civil society; rights of women, children and internally displaced persons. The EU and Azerbaijan also discussed human rights cooperation within international organizations, in particular at the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe.
On the second day, participants had fruitful exchanges on migration issues, including visa policy and readmission. EU informed of present trends in its main policies regarding border management, fight against organized crime, law enforcement, fight against corruption, judicial cooperation and fight against terrorism. The authorities provided comprehensive presentations regarding national policies in these fields, their implementation and reform underway.
According to the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, the session at expert level was held "in a friendly, open and constructive atmosphere", with an exchange on a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern, as well as discussions on possibilities for cooperation.
The EU met on a bilateral basis on Monday with representatives of Azerbaijani and international NGOs prior to the human rights dialogue.