Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 18
By Anakhanum Hidayatova – Trend:
The EU congratulates Azerbaijan and its people on the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the state independence, said a message posted on the website of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service.
“Azerbaijan has developed profoundly over the course of these years,” the message said. “The EU will continue to cooperate closely with Azerbaijan in support of developing strong democratic institutions, the rule of law, and economic prosperity for the benefit of all Azerbaijanis.”
“This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the EU's relations with Azerbaijan and 20 years since the signature of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA),” the message noted.
“The EU looks forward to the launching of negotiations on a new agreement with Azerbaijan, to replace the 1996 PCA and develop further our bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest, in line with the principles of the recently reviewed European Neighborhood Policy, as well as international law,” reads the message.
“Alongside our engagement in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, this will serve to enhance bilateral dialogue, supporting efforts to build a more resilient economy and inclusive society, as well as increasing contacts with the people of Azerbaijan,” the message said.
Currently, bilateral relations between the EU and Azerbaijan are regulated on the basis of the 1996 PCA, which came into force in 1999.
The new agreement envisages bringing Azerbaijan's legislation and procedures closer to the most important international and trade standards of the EU. This process is meant to improve the access of Azerbaijani products to the EU markets.
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