EU, Azerbaijan to table economic and political security
Economic and political security issues will top the agenda of the
first round of talks between the European Union and Azerbaijan on
an Association Agreement that will draw the country closer to the
27-member bloc, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud
Mammadguliyev has said.
During the discussions, due to begin on July 16, Mammadguliyev will head the Azerbaijani delegation, while John Kjaer, a department head on the South Caucasus states, will be negotiating on behalf of the EU.
According to the deputy minister, the sides will discuss not the document itself, but its sections for the time being.
Mammadguliyev said he does not believe the agreement could be signed till the end of 2010 but added that this depends on the course of negotiations.
The Association Agreement is the main goal outlined in the Eastern Partnership program, which, besides Azerbaijan, covers Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. The deal will pave the way for deepening and expanding Azerbaijan’s relationship with the EU.
Mammadguliyev added he was hopeful that Azerbaijan and the EU could soon begin negotiating simplified visa regulations.
The Eastern Partnership, launched at an EU summit in May 2009, besides a simplified visa regime, envisions free trade, closer energy cooperation and other areas of cooperation. Membership in the bloc is not on the agenda at this point.*
During the discussions, due to begin on July 16, Mammadguliyev will head the Azerbaijani delegation, while John Kjaer, a department head on the South Caucasus states, will be negotiating on behalf of the EU.
According to the deputy minister, the sides will discuss not the document itself, but its sections for the time being.
Mammadguliyev said he does not believe the agreement could be signed till the end of 2010 but added that this depends on the course of negotiations.
The Association Agreement is the main goal outlined in the Eastern Partnership program, which, besides Azerbaijan, covers Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. The deal will pave the way for deepening and expanding Azerbaijan’s relationship with the EU.
Mammadguliyev added he was hopeful that Azerbaijan and the EU could soon begin negotiating simplified visa regulations.
The Eastern Partnership, launched at an EU summit in May 2009, besides a simplified visa regime, envisions free trade, closer energy cooperation and other areas of cooperation. Membership in the bloc is not on the agenda at this point.*
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