Azerbaijan, Baku, September 18 / Trend , R.Hafizoglu /
If Azerbaijan puts forward its candidature for membership to the European Union (EU), it will be supported by official Ankara, said State Minister of Turkey.
"If Azerbaijan puts forward its candidacy for EU membership, official Ankara will support Baku in every possible way," the head of the delegation on negotiations on Turkey's entrance to EU, Minister of State, Egemen Bakish, told Trend in an exclusive interview on Sept. 18.
Recently signed action plan on the European Neighborhood Policy was a step towards even closer cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. It was noted that from a geographical point of view, Azerbaijan is part of Europe and the largest trading partner of EU in the region. Bringing its legislation into conformity with European legislation will create opportunities for Azerbaijan to modernize and develop its economy, strengthen cultural ties.
Turkey, as a country negotiating with the EU, supports the development of relations of this organization in the region with friendly and fraternal Turkey and Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus as a whole, said the State Minister.
According to him, due to the fact that the EU is a consumer of oil and gas, Azerbaijan's significance for it will further increase.
"As long as the steps taken in the world in terms of energy security are important for the EU and Turkey, they are important for Azerbaijan as well," he said.
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