Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan`s membership in the EU will depend upon Europe, President Ilham Aliyev has said.
"If the European Union wants to see us as a country integrating or linked to its structures, or merely as a neighbor, any choice would suit us. We can`t demand anything from the EU, or bang on the door, saying `let us in.`
"The EU is a family which has its own laws and rules. This family reserves the right to invite or not to invite anyone," Aliyev said in an interview with Italy`s RAI International TV channel.
The president went on to say that the reforms being pursued by the government would bring a number of standards in Azerbaijan, including the political system and economic freedoms, into compliance with those of the EU over the next five years.
Alan Waddams, the EU envoy to Azerbaijan, has said the country may join the EU if it meets all of the group`s commitments, but admission to the 27-member bloc is possible only within the next two decades.
"Azerbaijan`s potential is great. The country is embracing international standards. All this will bring it closer to the EU in the future. When saying `future,` I am referring to the next 20 years," the envoy said.
Established in 1993, the EU currently is composed of 27 members. Azerbaijan adopted the five-year Action Plan of the organization`s European New Neighborhood Policy in 2006. The document outlines its cooperation with the Union and the steps required for European integration.

Eastern Partnership
Issues on launching the Eastern Partnership program, proposed by the European Commission, will be discussed at a meeting of the European Union Council of Ministers to be held this Wednesday, Waddams said.
He added that under the program, closer cooperation would be established between the EU and Europe`s eastern neighbors. The partner states include the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine and Moldova. Belarus may also be admitted to the partnership program, however, this will depend on the situation in this country. According to Waddams, if the authoritarian regime in Belarus changes, the country will be able to join the partnership program as well.
The diplomat added that, as a first step, an association agreement on creating free trade areas would be signed by those countries participating in the Eastern Partnership program, which was initiated by Poland and Sweden. Moreover, these countries are to be members of the World Trade Organization. The ex-Soviet states are also required to adopt a set of EU regulations, along with simplifying visa regulations. Furthermore, such key issues as democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law should be top priorities for the signatories.
"Although not EU members, these countries will be considered closer to the organization…Prospects for their membership will be more real in the future," Waddams said.
He noted that joining the partnership program is voluntary and participating states merely assume a legal commitment by committing to it.