Azerbaijan, Baku, June 7 /Trend, R.Darakhshan /
Azerbaijan is a special partner for the EU, the Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia of the European Union's External Action Service, Miroslav Lajcak said Monday upon arrival in Baku, a statement by the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan says.
"The European Neighbourhood Policy offers tremendous opportunities for the countries in the South Caucasus region. Azerbaijan is a special partner for the EU, with whom we have already established a strong relationship. We want to go further, and faster, with the country as it continues to reform ," said Lajcak.
According to him, it is time now to develop a partnership for people and to address together global issues that affect both Azerbaijan and the EU.
"The Association Agreement, which we are negotiating at the moment, will take our relationship further, in full support to the country's modernization efforts ," said the European diplomat.
On Monday, the EU delegation met with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. Also the team will meet with the Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Defence Safar Abiyev, representatives of the political parties and civil society as well as international organizations and the diplomatic community of Azerbaijan.
Lajcak's visit to South Caucasus will continue until June 10. He is accompanied by John Kjaer, Head of Division for Eastern Partnership countries and EU Chief Negotiator for the Association Agreement with Azerbaijan. The delegation will stay in Baku until June 7.
During the mission all aspects of the relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan will be discussed. In addition, the mission will serve to explain the main features of the European Neighbourhood Policy review and to initiate preparations for the Eastern Partnership summit scheduled to take place in Poland in September, read the statement.
Azerbaijan, together with Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, has been participating in the EU "Eastern Partnership" since 2009.