Why do we need the "Eastern Partnership"?

Q: What is the essence of the "Eastern Partnership"?

Answer: The Eastern Partnership is a more specific version of the European Neighborhood Policy.
"Eastern Partnership" covers 6 countries - Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
      This is a political cooperation between the EU and these countries and between countries, as well as communication between people, the simplification of the visa regime, the development of entirely new conditions for economic cooperation, as well as some political integration.
  There is a parliamentary structure, which includes the countries of the "Eastern Partnership" and there are those countries and the EU and the European Parliament.
"Eastern Partnership" program is broader and deeper integration.

Q: What is said in the program of free media?

A: Of course, it is included. The program has a specific obligation for partner countries to respect the freedom of media, expression
and assembly. The first condition is the independence of the media from the state. The second - the creation of the legal and economic conditions for their activities.Third - changes in legislation related to the media.For example, the adoption of the law "On defamation". Unfortunately, in some countries of "Eastern Partnership", in particular in Azerbaijan, Belarus, and even Ukraine has intensified pressure on the media.

Q: How has the adoption of this program influenced freedom of media?

A: It's hard to talk about other countries, but as far as Azerbaijan, there is little optimism. Rather, we can talk about the failures, but it is the failure of the performers.A particular responsibility lies on the EU, as in the commitment needed to require specific guarantees or nominate strict requirements for their implementation.

Question: Can you talk about the indifference of the EU?

A: Until recently, the EU and other international institutions preferred to talk about the cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of security, energy and geopolitics. That is, the interests prevail over values.

  However, over the last six years, the situation has changed somewhat, although it is too early to talk about the dramatic changes. In particular, there have been recent statements stringent European Commissioners Ashton and Stefan Fule. However, such a rigid position or not the mechanism of influence or is not sufficient..

  For example, what sanctions or other measures should be brought into play, authoritarian states to comply with their own obligations. Compliance with obligations does not mean execution "orders" of the EU or other external forces. No one forced Azerbaijan to this organization and no one is forced to sign a liability.. Therefore, our government should not be hypocritical..

Q: What place is Citizen Journalism in the framework of the "Eastern Partnership"?

 Answer: There were developments, however, this is not the merit of the "Eastern Partnership". In the area of ​​promotion of citizen journalism due to the general global development. It's about social networks and Changin area. Thus, the sharp increase in the number of web sites, the decline in computer and communication technology, the mobile Internet has made a major factor in the socio-political life. I do not think that it is a merit of the "European Neighbourhood" or "Eastern Partnership". This is a success overall development.

Q: What can give us "Eastern Partnership" in this election year?

Answer: As much as we criticize the current situation, any program of cooperation and integration is very important in a relationship with the EU.Although our high expectations were not met in any case it is a positive trend.In an election year, we see that high-ranking EU officials did not remain indifferent to the situation in Azerbaijan, although it is not sufficient for a radical change in the situation. However, one could argue that their position is very different from the one that was in 2008 and 2010. -02D-