Progress in Azerbaijan within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP ) in 2013 was not balanced.
This was announced today at a press conference by the head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan Malena Mard, commenting on the EU 's annual report on progress in ENP partner countries.
Among the positive steps Mard said signing of the agreement on visa facilitation and partnership for mobility matters.
In addition, at the end of December, it was decided to invest the project gas field Shah Deniz-2, which is important for the expansion of energy cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.
The EU commends the macroeconomic stability in Azerbaijan.
"However, we support and encourage diversification of the economy of Azerbaijan, adoption and application of competition law, intensifying negotiations on accession to the WTO," said Mard.
At the same time, in her opinion, the potential for trade and economic cooperation is not fully used.
"We want reforms held in Azerbaijan to contribute to the development of trade and investment," said Mard.
Concerning the fight against corruption, she gave a positive assessment of the creation of ASAN.
At the same time, the EU supports the implementation of the national anti-corruption program in full.
The EU also calls for increased attention to issues of good governance and democracy , where there is "very little progress."
EU considers it an important prerequisite for the development of any country having a strong civil society and intends to support efforts in this direction in Azerbaijan.
Referring to last year's presidential election , Mard noted the need to implement the recommendations of ODIHR on electoral law reform in anticipation of municipal and parliamentary elections.
The EU also intends to support the reform efforts to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
Referring to the Karabakh conflict, Mard said EU support for OSCE Minsk Group efforts .
The EU strongly condemned the annexation of the Crimea by Russia and at the same time does not show a similar approach with respect to aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan. What is the reason?
Answering this question, Mard said that each conflict has its own specificity and it is wrong to draw parallels. She noted that Azerbaijan and Armenia have chosen the format of conflict settlement by the OSCE Minsk Group and the EU is ready to support the efforts for a peaceful settlement.
Asked to comment on official Baku ignoring calls from the EU and the European Parliament on human rights violations in Azerbaijan, Mard said that the development of civil society is a subject of negotiations with the government of Azerbaijan and not all of it is reflected in the media.
What mechanisms can be used by the EU in Azerbaijan for human rights?
Answering this question from Turan, Mard said the platform of civil society Eastern Partnership is an important tool for the protection of civil society.
As for Azerbaijan's refusal of EU aid, Mard said, "I am convinced that no nation, even the rich, should ignore the possibility of increasing trade and investment."
Mard reported that between Azerbaijan and the EU negotiations continued on the Association Agreement and the Strategic Partnership for Modernisation.
" But the main thing for us is an association agreement. We hope that the negotiations in this direction will be intensified. In the future, it would constitute a new legal framework for our relations," said Mard.
The EU also has to sign an agreement on free trade and Moldova and Ukraine are already enjoying its benefits.
Mard also reported that the EU adopted a new financial instrument to support reforms in the countries of Eastern Partnership through which, in 2014-2020 there will be allocated 15.4 billion euros.
Will the EU initiate new efforts to implement the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline to reduce EU energy dependence on Russia? Answering this question, Mard said that the EU stands for diversification of energy sources and support the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, continuing negotiations with Baku and Ashgabat. -06C -
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