Azerbaijan, Baku, April 5 / Trend, A.Badalova /
The EU wants to deepen its ties with Azerbaijan, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council said in an interview to The Business Year magazine.
He said Azerbaijan is unique in so many ways.
"Azerbaijan has been a transit corridor throughout the ages; from the ancient Silk Road to today's energy pipelines," Rompuy said.
Trade and exchange across borders have fostered over centuries a tradition of openness in its society, where many ethnic and religious communities have thrived together, he said.
Rompuy said at the same time, Azerbaijan's impressive recent economic growth spurred by the oil and gas sector shines a great spotlight on the country.
"The challenge today is to build on this momentum and secure the sustainability of the growing economy and modernization," Rompuy said.
Rompuy underlined that the EU is happy to see Azerbaijan as a rising international partner, with a growing regional role.
"In assuming a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Azerbaijan is showing its commitment to work for international peace and security," he said.
Rompuy also underlined that the EU sees Azerbaijan as a strategic partner on energy.
"Azerbaijan is considered a reliable supplier and will, in the future, become a reliable transit provider for both gas and oil," he noted.
Rompuy noted that the EU strongly supports the Southern Energy Corridor and the Trans-Caspian Pipeline. He said these projects will benefit all sides.