Azerbaijan and EU Have Differences in Negotiations on New Agreement

Baku / 03.09.18 / Turan: Strong negotiations are underway between Azerbaijan and the EU on the signing of a new partnership agreement. Consultations take place in a constructive atmosphere. This was stated by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev.

According to him, the new agreement on "strategic partnership" will create a legal basis for the comprehensive development of Azerbaijan's relations with the EU in a unified framework.

Speaking about the possibility of divergence in views on various issues, Hajiyev noted that such points are discussed in a constructive atmosphere.

The document consists of several chapters that cover issues of politics, trade, economy, security, and humanitarian sphere. Trade cooperation remains one of the open questions since Azerbaijan is not a WTO member. There are points concerning tariffs, subsidies, etc. subject to additional discussions, and work in this direction continues at the expert level.

Hajiyev considers normal the presence of discrepancies in the process of preparing any document, as diplomacy serves to find ways of solving through discussions.

"The most important thing is that there is political will at the highest level for the development of Azerbaijan-EU relations, raising them to a qualitatively new level," Hajiyev said. He found it difficult to say, however, when the agreement will be signed, but the determination and political will of the parties gives grounds to believe that the document will be signed, Hajiyev said.

Recall that the start of negotiations on a new partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU was given in February 2017. -05D06--