Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan can become a bridge not only between Europe and Asia, but also between the European Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Dragana Filipovic, Head of the Council of Europe’s Office in Baku, made the statement at the presentation of the mid-term report on the projects envisaged for the countries of the Eastern Partnership, in particular for Azerbaijan.

EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Malena Mard, in turn, highlighted a good level of partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan.

The diplomat said the sides will share their experiences as part of the project. Cost of the projects, funded by the Council of Europe and the EU, is $4.7 million.

“It is important that all parties work together to achieve better results,” she added.

After the speech, Mard informed journalists about the three sessions of subcommittees on trade and economy issues held between Azerbaijan and the EU, so far, and said the next one will be held on October 14.

These meetings provide an opportunity to exchange experience with Azerbaijani colleagues, according to the EU ambassador. The diplomat stressed the importance of the fact that the parties have resume dialogue within the subcommittees.

“I am confident that we will achieve concrete results in the various fields. We hope that a meeting of the Subcommittee on Energy will be before the end of the year,” she said.

Regarding the new legal framework of negotiations between the EU and Azerbaijan on strategic cooperation, Mard said a decision of all the EU member countries is expected for that, and then negotiations will begin in the near future.

“However, negotiations on this issue are continuing in Brussels,” the diplomat added.

The EU and Azerbaijan are maintaining relations under the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which was signed in 1996 and came into force in 1999.

Since then the PCA has provided the legal framework for EU-Azerbaijan bilateral relations in the areas of political dialogue, trade, investment, economic, legislative and cultural cooperation.

Azerbaijan is also included in the EU program on "Eastern Partnership" adopted on the initiative of Poland and Sweden and approved at the EU summit in Brussels in 2008.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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