Stefan Fule said the appeal NCDF

At meetings with the Azerbaijani government the European Union repeatedly raised the issue on ensuring freedom of expression, assembly and association. The December 2013 meeting of the Cooperation Council between the EU and Azerbaijan will be a new opportunity to discuss the human rights situation, reads the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, Stefan Fule,  in response to the appeal of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) with respect to the problems of democracy in Azerbaijan.

In response, Fule noted that respect for fundamental human rights, democracy and the rule of law are the pillars on which the EU's relations with its partners are based. The EU expressed its concern about the reports on  problems with human rights violations in Azerbaijan under the European Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership, and recommended efforts to fulfill obligations to the Council of Europe.

In particular, the evaluation report in March 2013 highlighted the need of progress in the electoral process, respect for fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, and to ensure the independence of the judiciary. -16D-