Day of Europe in Lankaran

Baku / 08.05.17 / Turan: The Delegation of the European Union to Azerbaijan this year held the traditional Day of Europe not in Baku, but in the region of the country, and in particular Lankaran.

The events were also dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the creation of the EU.

The head of the European Union mission to Azerbaijan, Ambassador Malena Mard, as well as the heads of diplomatic missions of several European countries, met Lankaran executive head Taleh Garashov and discussed projects the EU plans to implement in the region.

At the press conference, the head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan Mard noted that the EU wishes to pay special attention to the regions of Azerbaijan and implement several projects related to agriculture. "In order to enter the European markets, we should comply with the EU standards." We observe that local producers pay attention to this factor," she said.

Mard said the program associated with Lankaran implies not only assistance to agriculture, but also the development of small and medium-sized businesses in other areas.

Touching upon the negotiation process that began in late April between the EU and Azerbaijan under the new agreement, the Ambassador noted that the treaty will be wider than the previous one.

The Day of Europe in Lankaran was timed for the organization of an educational exhibition of Germany, where people could receive information about the possibility of continuing their studies at German universities and the conditions of training there.

The Day of Europe in Lankaran also included a meeting of the heads of diplomatic missions of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, Latvia, Hungary, Sweden and students of the Lankaran State University. The Ambassadors briefed the students on their countries, on their relations with Azerbaijan, on their contribution to the common cause for the EU. The Ambassadors, as well as the head of the EU mission, answered questions of interest to students.

Summing up the results of the two-day events in Lankaran, the First Adviser to the EU representation in Baku Denis Daniilidis in an interview with Turan said diplomats are more than satisfied with the reaction of the local population. "The results exceeded our expectations, and especially we are satisfied with the increased interest of the younger generation, which gives us energy for further action," he said.

Daniilidis said that in the future, attention will be paid to the regions of the country. According to him, the polls show the difference in informing citizens about the EU.

Speaking specifically about Lankaran, he stressed that next year the EU will start implementing an agricultural program amounting to 13.5 million euros. Now the details of the program are being developed.

"In the future, activities related to the EU will be held in other regions of Azerbaijan," he said. -06D--