Azernews.Az

The European Union foreign ministers back the bloc`s new strategy paper on the South Caucasus region prepared by the current Swedish presidency, the country`s Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, told a press conference after an EU meeting early last week.
The strategy opens up new opportunities for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia in their cooperation with the 27-member EU. The strategy calls for the three regional states being offered open-ended association agreements which could, in the longer term, lead to free trade and easier travel arrangements.
The three countries have signed on to the EU`s European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and, earlier this year, joined the bloc`s Eastern Partnership program, along with Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus.
Bildt made note of the right of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia to pick their own allies.
``These countries are sovereign nations and they have their right to choose their own destiny. They`ve expressed a [wish] for a closer relationship with the European Union.``
Bildt added that the three countries ``have the right not to be restricted by the wishes of anyone else``, apparently hinting at Russia.
Commenting on the current situation in the region, Bildt did not differentiate between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. He said the three countries were working to establish the rule of law, democracy and good governance complying with EU standards, but added that he ``wouldn`t say everyone has made the kind of progress we`d like to see.``
Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict, the Swedish minister said the EU foreign ministers had called on the mediating OSCE Minsk Group to reach a speedy resolution of the long-standing dispute. He added that the EU was closely following the ongoing talks between Baku and Yerevan.
Bildt said the European Commission was formally authorized on September 15 to establish bilateral association agreements with the three South Caucasus states. The associations will replace the EU`s existing partnership plans.

Eastern Partnership
Just days after the EU meeting, the bloc`s representatives held discussions in Baku on the Eastern Partnership program that seeks to boost cooperation with ex-Soviet partners, according to the European Commission office in Azerbaijan.
John Kjaer, Head of Unit for Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and South Caucasus of the General Directorate for External Relation of the European Commission, and Giovanni Cremonini, Administrator of the European Neighborhood Policy Directorate, discussed with participants the benefits of this important initiative in a two-day event dubbed the ``Road Show``.
The Eastern Partnership seeks to develop increasingly close political and economic ties with the EU`s Eastern neighbors and represents an upgrading of the political engagement between the EU and Azerbaijan.
The EU officials participated in two high-level workshops with officials and civil society organizations. They gave presentations on the prospects and impact of deepening EU-Azerbaijan bilateral and multilateral relations under the Eastern Partnership.
The Eastern Partnership initiative, initially floated by Poland and Sweden, envisions simplified visa regulations, free trade and closer energy cooperation. However, participating countries are required to bring their laws into compliance with EU standards, pursue economic reforms and bolster democratic development at home. Membership in the bloc is not on the agenda, at this point.