(the first version was posted at 02:20)
Azerbaijan , Baku, February 24 /Trend, A.Akhundov /
Hungary , as a chairman country in EU will make all necessary efforts at euro-integration of Azerbaijan, the state secretary for foreign affairs of Hungary Jolt Nemeth said in Baku on Thursday.
"There are great opportunities for Azerbaijan's integration into Europe today", - Nemeth said at the opening of the Hungary embassy building in Baku.
According to his word, Azerbaijan and Hungary are going to enter a new stage of relationships.
"Azerbaijan and Hungry are tied by common cultural, historical, economical and political relationships. Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan. The two countries are entering a new stage of relationships at the moment." - Nemeth said.
According to the state committee of statistics of Azerbaijan, bilateral trade with Hungry total 14,3 million dollars, operations on export total 70,2 thousand dollars, and import 14,269 million dollars.
The visit of the state secretary for foreign affairs of Hungary in Azerbaijan will continue until February, 26. Discussing of the bilateral collaboration as well as the collaboration with the international organizations is expected during his visit. One of the main issues of the negotiations is relationships between Azerbaijan and EU. Hungary is the chairman of EU since January.
Hungary chairmanship gives great opportunities for developing relationships between Azerbaijan and Europe, the deputy minister of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov said during his speech.
"The successful partnership between Azerbaijan and EU proves the presence of great opportunities for developing bilateral relationships", - Khalafov said.
According to his word, they are working on simplification of visa system with EU.
The relationships between EU and Azerbaijan began in 90's with the support of European Commission to CIS countries within TACIS program.
The agreement of collaboration and partnership between EU and Azerbaijan has been effective since 1999; also the European policy of good neighborliness has functioned since 2003.
The EU-Azerbaijan partnership entered a new stage on may 2010 within EU Eastern partnership program initiated by Poland and Sweden.
"Eastern Partnership" provides closer political and economical relationships between EU and 6 countries of CIS - Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia.
The program doesn't provides with the EU membership, but it offers visa system simplification, collaboration on energy, free trade zone implementation, also small projects on student exchange, environmental protection and energy supply.
