Azerbaijan and EU are close to signing a new partnership agreement - Michalko

Baku/15.12.22/Turan: Negotiations on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU are ongoing, and this week their next round took place, the EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko  stated at a press conference on the results of 2022 on Thursday.

He reported "progress" in the work on the agreement. "However, discussions on some points continue. I believe that very soon we will witness the completion of negotiations and the achievement of a new agreement," the ambassador said. According to Mikhalko, the EU and Azerbaijan have been effectively cooperating this year in the areas of economy, trade, and education.

The EU recently approved an investment plan that provides 2 billion euros to support projects aimed at accelerating economic development by stimulating the green and digital transition in Azerbaijan.

“The implementation of some projects supported by the EU has already begun in Azerbaijan. Thus, in December of this year, a project was launched to improve the management system of the Baku International Sea Port to turn it into the most advanced and greenest harbor in the region,” Mikhalko continued.

Based on the European Economic and Investment Plan, the EU will closely cooperate with the government of Azerbaijan and a high-level working group has been established for this purpose. The EU representative also pointed to cooperation with “Aztelecom” on a project implemented in Ganja to lay high-speed Internet in rural areas.

The Ambassador stressed that there is an important cooperation in the energy sector. He recalled that in July this year, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the EU and Azerbaijan, which provides for doubling gas exports from Azerbaijan, as well as the use of renewable energy sources and cooperation in this area.

Currently, more than 400 European companies operate in Azerbaijan. European companies stimulate the creation of new jobs. With the support of EU companies, up to 2,000 new jobs have been opened in Azerbaijan. Mikhailo also noted that the EU plans to continue investing in agribusiness and tourism in Azerbaijan next year.

Referring to cooperation in the field of education with Azerbaijan, the diplomat said that the EU aims to further strengthen partnership in this area, including science and research.

“About 25 Azerbaijani universities are involved in the Erasmus + program. More and more students from the EU come to Azerbaijan to study under the Erasmus + program,” Michalko said.

Piotr Michalko also noted that the EU is actively involved in campaigns and projects related to gender equality in Azerbaijan. According to him, they work together with partners from the UN against gender-based violence.

“In order to further strengthen women in Azerbaijan, we are implementing projects related to supporting women entrepreneurs,” he added. ---16D---