Azernews.Az

BAKU – July 1 marked the start of Poland’s six-month stint at the helm of the Council of the European Union.

Polish goals are to put the EU on a fast track for economic growth and to strengthen the Community’s political clout. Efforts will be made to support the EU foreign and security policy, further enlarge the EU and strengthen cooperation with neighbours, notably via the Eastern Partnership, the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan said.

While Poland will preside over the works of the Union in Europe, the European Union Delegation will continue to represent the EU in all third countries, including Azerbaijan.

"A lot of work has been put into the Eastern Partnership program. During our presidency, everything will be done to make this program moving in the right direction. We believe the Eastern Partnership Summit will be an impulse to further deepen mutual relations and the process of integration with the EU", said Polish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Michal Labenda.

September will see one of the Polish Presidency’s major events: the Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended by leaders of the EU institutions, EU heads of state and government and beneficiary countries of the Eastern Partnership.

"Poland has been a driving force for many years in the EU and has put relations with our Eastern partners on top of the EU foreign policy agenda. Closer integration of Azerbaijan with the EU will be a source of growth and security and will ultimately benefit both EU and Azerbaijan people", said Jerome Pons, Charge d'Affaires of the EU Delegation.

Azerbaijan and the EU have engaged in the negotiation of an Association Agreement in July 2010. The Association Agreement will encompass all aspects of Azerbaijan –EU cooperation in the future.

Based on the Lisbon Treaty rules (December 2009), the Presidency will be host to the majority of the EU meetings and will play a significant role in all fields of the EU activity. Poland will preside and organise the work of the EU sector meetings in Brussels. The role of the Presidency has however been limited as far as common foreign policy and security issues are concerned. In those matters, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, assisted by the EU Delegations, will continue to represent the EU in third country, including Azerbaijan.