Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 23 /Trend/
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle met Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev in Brussels on Friday, to discuss "openly and frankly" a range of bilateral and regional issues, ENPI reported.
Commissioner Füle stressed that the EU needs an Azerbaijan furthering its democratic development fully in line with the European Neighbourhood Policy based on common values and interests. "We have seen an intensification of our relations: we are making progress in the negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission. Our strategic partnership on energy is developing and we welcome the recent ratification of the two agreements on the construction and operation of the Transanatolian Pipeline, essential for the realization of the Southern Corridor," Commissioner Füle said.
He added that there was still a huge potential to further develop ties, through Azerbaijan's active involvement in the Eastern Partnership, citing ongoing negotiations on a new Association Agreement as the most visible expression of the desire to upgrade relations. The sides also took up human rights and democratic principles issues in Azerbaijan.
In addition, Füle and Mammadguliyev discussed the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, one of the most difficult protracted conflicts in Europe.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.