Details added (first version posted on 19:42)
Baku, Azerbaijan Feb. 29
By Seba Aghayeva - Trend:
The European Union is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in energy sector, regional security and the rule of law, said Federica Mogherini, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
The EU and Azerbaijan share common interests in developing the relations and the goal is to achieve a wide and comprehensive collaboration, said Mogherini during a briefing in Baku Feb. 29.
Noting that there are still difficulties in the relations, she said that nevertheless, currently, the sides are closer to realizing the importance of simultaneously developing the political and economic cooperation.
Azerbaijan's accession to the World Trade Organization can be an effective step, since it can intensify the country's integration to the world economy, said Mogherini.
Undoubtedly, this will make great contribution to reforming the country's economy, she added.
In turn, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said the country is interested in signing a modernized strategic partnership agreement with the EU in the shortest possible time.
"Today, this issue was on the agenda of our talks," said the minister, adding that the Azerbaijani side informed Mogherini about the negotiation process for the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and called on the EU to assist in speeding up the peace process.