Azerbaijan and EU agree on key partnership document

Azerbaijan and the European Union have agreed on the text of the “Partnership Priorities” document and resumed discussions on issues related to strategic engagement, the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan reported.

According to the delegation, productive talks between the EU and Azerbaijan were held in Baku, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of their partnership. The negotiators provisionally agreed on the text of the “Partnership Priorities” document and resumed negotiations on a new bilateral strategic partnership agreement.

The EU Delegation noted that the talks focused primarily on strengthening political dialogue, developing connectivity, and expanding economic cooperation.

The EU also recalled that on November 14, 2016, the Council of the European Union approved a mandate for the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to negotiate a new agreement with Azerbaijan. The new document is expected to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that has been in force since 1996.

The strategic partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU consists of four sections. However, some issues, mainly in the trade and economic sphere, remain unresolved.