The European Union on Friday launched talks with Azerbaijan on an association agreement that would boost ties between the bloc and the energy-rich ex-Soviet republic.
The European Union on Friday launched talks with
Azerbaijan
on an
association agreement that would boost ties between the bloc and the energy-rich
ex-Soviet republic.
"The preparation and signing of an association agreement is another
important step in relations between the EU and
Azerbaijan
. It
promotes integration of our country into
Europe
,"
Azerbaijan
's
deputy foreign minister Mahmoud Mamedguliyev told a news conference in
Baku
.
The head of the EU's negotiating team, John Kjaer, said that the eventual
association agreement would promote democracy and economic prosperity in the
bloc's Eastern neighborhood.
"
Europe
is strategically interested in stability and
democratic development of its eastern neighbors," Kjaer said.
Association agreements are treaties between the bloc and non-EU countries that
create a framework for cooperation on political and economic issues. Negotiations
on agreements usually take from one to four years.
Azerbaijan
has
not sought as close links with the EU. as neighboring
Georgia
,
which launched similar talks with the bloc on Thursday, but is an important
partner for
Europe
in terms of energy
cooperation.
Azerbaijan
is a
key partner in Western-backed projects to deliver oil and gas from the
Caspian
Sea
through
Turkey
to
Europe
,
bypassing
Russia
. It
is also considered a crucial potential supplier for the EU's flagship Nabucco
gas pipeline project.
Association agreement negotiations are also taking place with
Ukraine
and
Moldova
and
are due to be launched on Monday with another
South
Caucasus
republic,
Armenia
.
Six ex-Soviet states --
Armenia
,
Azerbaijan
,
Belarus
,
Georgia
,
Moldova
, and
Ukraine
--
are also part of EU's Eastern Partnership initiative designed to foster
democracy, security and economic reforms in
Europe
's
eastern neighborhood and deepen political and economic ties.
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