As stated by the press service of the ministry of economic development, in this meeting Azerbaijan was represented by the national coordinator of Azerbaijan for the program on technical assistance of the European Commission, minister of economic development Farhad Aliyev. At the Brussels meeting, discussed were perspectives of the European Commission in the Eastern Europe, in the Caucasus and Central-Asian region, program of TACIS for 2004-2005s, issues of acceleration of the policy on other spheres.

At the meeting, adopted was an appropriate Concept for preparation of new agenda that will cover the period after 2006. National coordinators discussed the working document related to the new concept.

The new concept backs the idea of definition of the TACIS projects necessary for each country and open wide opportunities for differentiation of the assistance on the countries.

In the frame of the visit, Minister Farhad Aliyev met with the high-ranking officials of the European Commission. Discussed were perspectives the projects of TACIS, issues of stimulating export of Azerbaijan’s products.

Achieved were the Agreement on adoption of the TACIS Indicative Program on Azerbaijan for 2004-2006s. Currently, in the frame of the said Program, elaborating is the National Program of activity to cover concrete projects. Reached was an agreement on allocation in the coming two years in the frame of TACIS Program on Azerbaijan means at amount €30 million.

To this end, appropriate documents will be signed up to June current year.

Meanwhile, in the frame of TACIS Program on Azerbaijan was rendered technical assistance at amount 90 million Euros. On 26 January current year, the Council of Ministers of foreign affairs of the European Union adopted a resolution on elaboration of proposals of the European Commission and submission of them to Ireland up to end of its chairmanship at the European Union on joining of the South Caucasus countries the initiative of “Expansion of Europe”.

The key goal of adoption of the “Expansion of Europe” initiative is to create new frames of cooperation for development in the coming ten years with a number of states situate in the west and south Europe.