Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Brussels has hosted a regular political dialogue between the European Union and Azerbaijan at the level of the EU Political and Security Committee.

Azerbaijani side was represented by the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the EU, Ambassador Fuad Isgandarov, and the EU was represented by Chair of the Political and Security Committee Walter Stevens, the Azerbaijani embassy for Belgium and Luxembourg reports.

During the meeting, Stevens spoke about the possibilities of cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan after the Vilnius summit.

He also touched upon the security in the region and highlighted Azerbaijan's role in the region.

Isgandarov, in turn, spoke about the process of talks on settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He said the problem should be solved in accordance with the norms and principles of international law, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. Isgandarov highlighted the importance of the EU's decisive stand on this issue.

It was also noted that the European Parliament adopted a resolution, which includes links to the famous four UN Security Council resolutions on October 24.

During the meeting, Isgandarov provided general information about the current development of internal processes, as well as political and socio-economic reforms in Azerbaijan.

Prospects of relations development between the EU and Azerbaijan were also discussed at the meeting.

A working lunch with representatives of the South Caucasus countries was also given along with the formal meeting. During the lunch, the sides discussed regional developments, energy security and other issues of mutual interest.

Azerbaijan and the European Union signed an agreement on visa regime facilitation at the third Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on November 29.

The visa facilitation agreement reduces the Schengen visa application fees for Azerbaijani citizens from 60 to 35 euros, and the number of documents required for obtaining the Schengen visa. These changes will presumably come into force in summer or early fall of 2014.

The complete abolition of the visa regime between Azerbaijan and the EU could be the next step after its facilitation.

The EU and Azerbaijan maintain their relations under the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which was signed in 1996 and came into force in 1999.