Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 24 / Trend M. Aliyev /
Human rights and media freedom are important priorities in relations between the EU and Azerbaijan, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said.
"Such issues as human rights and media freedom, are important priorities in EU relations with Azerbaijan. They are the important part of negotiations on an association agreement between EU and Azerbaijan," Semneby told media in Baku after a meeting with Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova.
Relations between the EU and Azerbaijan began in 1990 with the launch of the European Commission's support for CIS countries in the framework of the TACIS program.
The EU and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on partnership, which entered into force in 1999. The sides have also cooperated within the European Neighborhood Policy since 2003.
In May 2010, Azerbaijani-EU relations entered a new phase with a partnership within the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership Program initiated by Poland and Sweden.
The Eastern Partnership is aimed at the political and economic rapprochement of six post-Soviet states - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus - and the EU. The program does not provide opportunities for EU membership, but involves facilitating the visa regime, energy cooperation and the introduction of free trade zones.
Small projects on student exchange, environmental protection, and energy supply will also be implemented.
The EU special envoy arrived in Baku on Sunday. During his visit, he will get acquainted with the political situation in the country after the parliamentary elections. "This is another visit to Azerbaijan. We will meet with the country's leadership and representatives of civil society. We also plan to meet with Azerbaijani Ombudsman," Semneby said on arrival in Baku.
"We discussed the issues concerning the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, internal political situation in the country, relations between Azerbaijan and neighboring countries at a meeting with Azerbaijani President," he said.