EU says ties with Azerbaijan more intense
By Nigar Orujova
Europe Day -- an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe-- was marked in Baku with the organizational support of the European Union (EU) mission on May 15.
The Day marks anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which is regarded as the first move towards the creation of what we now know as the EU. There are two separate designations of Europe Day, May 5 for the Council of Europe, and May 9 for the European Union.
Addressing the event, Head of the EU delegation to Azerbaijan Roland Kobia informed the participants about the EU history.
Noting that the establishment of a united Europe was achieved thanks to joint efforts, Kobia said that "it happened over time, not overnight".
'None can think about the possibility of a new war in Europe now," he said.
Speaking about the EU-Azerbaijan relations, Kobia said that during his mandate he became witness of the grand development of Azerbaijan.
"Relations between Azerbaijan and the EU have become more intense. In the short period of time, Azerbaijan started to play an important role in international area," Kobia said.
Kobia went on to say that Azerbaijan is proud of the past, manages the present and is confident about the future.
Expressing regret over the completion of his mission in Baku, Kobia said that before leaving he would like to witness two important developments.
"First of all, completion of the visa facilitation talks between Azerbaijan and the EU and then adoption of an important decision on the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor," he said.
EU's Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule earlier in May said that Negotiations on visa facilitation between the EU and Azerbaijan are very close to completion.
Then, Fule also said that the EU appreciates Azerbaijan's close involvement in the Southern Gas Corridor project and emphasized that the Southern Gas Corridor will connect the Caspian region with the EU.
Kobia will be replaced by Malena Mård, who is currently deputy director general and head of department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, having previously served in St Petersburg, Dhaka and Brussels.
Addressing the event, Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev extended congratulations to the EU from the president and government of Azerbaijan.
Noting the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and the EU, he said that this indicates that these relations are based on mutual interests.
Mustafayev said that Azerbaijan plays important role in securing energy safety of Europe and the level of cooperation and partnership in this sphere is of the strategic character.
Moreover, Mustafayev said, Azerbaijan is a basic trade partner of the EU in the South Caucasus. Some 42 percent of Azerbaijani turnover fall to the share of the EU.
The event was attended by Head of the Presidential Administration's Socio-Political Department Ali Hasanov, MPs, party leaders, foreign ambassadors accredited in Baku and journalists.
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.
The five-year European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan for Azerbaijan, which was adopted in Brussels at the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council in 2006, focuses especially on democratization, human rights, socio-economic reform, poverty alleviation, energy, conflicts and sectoral issues.
In 2009, the EU passed a decision to sanction negotiations on the conclusion of bilateral association agreements of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia with the organization. These agreements will be a new practical instrument to replace the bilateral action plans.
Talks on visa facilitation and readmission, important issues for both Azerbaijani and EU citizens, which, was discussed since March 2012, are currently underway with the EU, and four meetings on the issue have already taken place.
An agreement on the simplification of visa entry for citizens of Azerbaijan provides for a reduction of the list of documents submitted along with the visa application and the possibility of issuing multiple entry visas with a longer validity period. The agreement on readmission will develop a mechanism for repatriation of those residing in the EU and Azerbaijan without permission.