POLITICS
EU CONSIDERS AZERBAIJAN ONE OF ITS CLOSEST PARTNERS, ALAN WADDAMS
“The European Union (EU) considers Azerbaijan as one of its closest partners. Europe attaches more importance to Azerbaijan for its distinctive geographic position”, said EU special envoy to Azerbaijan, Alan Waddams.
He stressed Europe is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan not only in energy, but other spheres, too, adding that Azerbaijan achieved a lot of successes in the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy.
Mr. Waddams highly valued the reforms carried out in economic development and energy sphere in Azerbaijan.
He said Azerbaijan-EU cooperation is a door for the country`s integration into Europe.
Speaking of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Ambassador stressed that EU supports Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity, and the OSCE Minsk Group`s mediation mission to achieve peaceful settlement of the conflict.
“If the sides achieve the resolution of the conflict, EU will render assistance to rehabilitation process in Azerbaijan” said the Ambassador.
The Ambassador assessed the adoption of the resolution called “the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan” in the UN General Assembly as a victory of Azerbaijan.
“OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs voted against the resolution. But EU members maintained neutrality. The Organization is more actively making efforts to achieve the resolution of the conflict peacefully”.
He noted Europe also attaches great importance to Azerbaijan as a transit country.
According to him, expansion of the cooperation with Azerbaijan in agriculture, customs, statistics, municipality and other spheres is planned for future.
And Justice Reform Project to be carried out next year aims to bring Azerbaijan`s legislation in line with the legislation of Europe.