Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.10 / Trend E. Ismayilov /
In January 2011another round of talks will be held between the Azerbaijani Government and the European Commission on the conclusion of association agreement, Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev said today.
"Talks on association membership were launched in July. In October, the second round of talks was held, but the document is not yet ready for signing, because the process of talks on the agreement covers a wide range of issues," Mammadguliyev said.
According to Mammadguliyev, above all, the high-quality of new document is important for the Azerbaijani side, as it would create a legal framework for further cooperation with the EU.
"In order to sign the document as soon as possible, it is necessary to actively work in this direction," Mammadguliyev said.
The association agreement is a framework document for cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU in two directions - on political dialogue and economic cooperation.
EU is envisaged to conclude the agreement with each of the South Caucasus countries individually and the content of the document will depend on the level of cooperation with the EU. In addition, it is planned to sign a separate agreement to simplify visa regime with EU countries.
Association agreement includes four directions - political dialogue, including security issues, justice and human rights, economic, social and humanitarian issues, and trade.
The last direction will create an opportunity in future for the export of Azerbaijani goods to EU countries. Azerbaijan is already enjoying the benefits of duty-free export of several thousand kinds of products to EU countries, but unfortunately, product quality remains a major problem in this issue.
The future association agreement will replace the agreement on partnership and cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU, which was signed in 1995. It envisages significant deepening of cooperation in priority areas.
A decision on the perspective of association membership of the South Caucasus countries in the EU, which is the most effective stimulus for conflict resolution and internal reforms in these countries, was taken on Sept. 30, 2009 in Brussels during the annual session of the EU Council for Cooperation with South Caucasus countries.
