Stefan Fule called on the Azerbaijani authorities to engage in dialogue with civil society

During the Baku meeting on September 9 the Foreign Ministers of "Eastern Partnership" of the EU discussed the protection of the independence and territorial integrity of these states, energy security, the development of democracy and civil society. This was announced at a press conference after the meeting by the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

In turn, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule said that the European Union attaches great importance to partnership with the countries of "Eastern Partnership" and is ready to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, these states themselves must define their sovereignty.

Madrid Treaty of 2009, the EU has identified as one of its priorities the development of democracy, human rights, fair justice system, the fight against corruption, and respect for civil society.

In his view, to implement reforms it is necessary to arrange dialogue between the Government and civil society.

In turn, the proxy of the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Helda Schmidt reported an exchange of views on issues of defense and security.

She noted that the Ukrainian crisis constituted a safety hazard for other countries of "Eastern Partnership".

The EU also supports the resolution of all other conflicts in the "Eastern Partnership". She also noted the importance of civil society development and its dialogue with the government.

Answering journalists' questions, Fule said the Russian annexation of the Crimea "eliminates the possibility to resolve the conflict by peaceful means."

With regard to the Karabakh conflict, then, for this there is the international framework and the EU supports these efforts. In his view, the question depends on the will of both parties and the EU for its part, is ready to provide support.

Noting the economic achievements of Azerbaijan, Fule said that the country has narrowed the field of civil society. In his view, the government, together with civil society must find ways to resolve the problems of civil society and stressed the importance of government's commitment to the development of civil society.

"In the context of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe the country must demonstrate its commitment to European values ​​and principles," said the commissioner.

Mammadyarov, for his part, said: "We want the NGOs to be more transparent. They must register with the Ministry of Justice. Protecting human rights, it is necessary to comply with the rule of law and respect the law," said Mammadyarov.

According to him, the human rights situation in Azerbaijan is not worse than in some EU countries. -06D--