Negotiations on Azerbaijan-EU air space agreement may soon start
By Nigar Orujova
The relationship between the European Union (EU) and Azerbaijan are developing dynamically and cover all areas, including energy, Maya Kochiyanchich, spokesman for the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, told Trend news agency.
According to Kochiyanchich, the relationship between the EU and Azerbaijan are deepening and strengthening.
"An initial agreement on visa facilitation and readmission was reached on July 29, and it is expected to sign the agreement in Vilnius in November. At the same time, Azerbaijan in the next few months will sign a Joint Declaration on mobilization partnership with a number of EU member states. Negotiations on an air space agreement may start in the near future," she said.
A common aviation area between the EU and Azerbaijan may imply a gradual opening of markets and implementation of the EU's regulations in the country. Azerbaijan expressed its interest in a common aviation area agreement with the EU in 2011.
Priority areas are market-opening, freedom of establishment, equal conditions of competition and common rules in the areas of aviation safety, aviation security, air traffic management, social conditions and environmental protection.
Kochiyanchich added that negotiations on the association agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan are in the process.
"It is difficult so far to voice any concerns about the final text of the agreement, the time and the place of signing. The EU intends to sign the Association Agreement with Azerbaijan for extended lengths of time," Kochiyanchich said.
According to Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev, video conferences between Azerbaijan and the European Commission in the framework of negotiations on the Association Agreement will be resumed in autumn.
The Association Agreement covers four areas - political dialogue, including issues of security, justice and human rights, economic, social and humanitarian issues, and trade. Negotiations are conducted regarding all these areas.
Opportunities will be provided in the future for the export of Azerbaijani goods to EU countries. Azerbaijan already enjoys duty-free export of several thousand types of commodities to EU countries, however, the quality of these goods is said to be a problem.