Belgium, Brussels, Apr. 2 / Trend , A.Ismayilova/
EU and Azerbaijani representatives will discuss the details of abolishing visa regime, European Commission official Christiane Hohmann told Trend on Apr. 2.
"We know that freedom of movement [on the territory of the EU] is very important for the citizens of partner countries. However, gradual opening of our borders should take place safely, under control and after careful consideration," Hohmann said.
In March, the EU announced that it approved the Eastern Partnership program. The program includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. As part of the program, the EU will allot 600 million euro to neighbor countries in 2009-2013.
Talks on introducing free trade zones, signing strategic agreements, realizing student exchange projects, environmental protection and energy supply will be held as part of the program.
Consideration of an agreement to abolish visa regime with 6 former Soviet countries is one of the points of the ambitious Eastern Partnership project, which the EU adopted immediately after the August conflict between Russia and Georgia, as well as the gas crisis with Ukraine.
Facilitation of visa regime and readmission of agreements will be the first step.
"Some of the elements of bilateral cooperation as part of the Eastern Partnership program is to define how the EU can help partner countries technically and provide preliminary advice to commence negotiations on this agreement [abolition of the visa system]," European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner Spokesman Christiane Hohmann added.
The EU has already begun facilitating visa system and readmitting Ukraine and Moldova. Recently, the EU also adopted a mandate to start the process with Georgia.
"Our goal is to begin a long-term dialogue on visa-free system with all partners," said Hohmann.
The summit of the EU member countries heads with participation of Eastern Partnership member states will take place in Prague on May 7. The summit is expected to officially launch the program.
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