Details added (first version posted on 16:56)
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 4
Trend:
Azerbaijan is interested in developing the dialogue with the EU under the terms of strategic partnership, said Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov May 4 in Prague.
He made the remarks at a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Visegrad Group and the Eastern Partnership countries.
"The growth in number of the EU partners inspires Azerbaijan to continue cooperation with the organization under the terms of strategic partnership," said Mammadyarov.
Azerbaijan has presented a draft agreement on strategic partnership to the EU, added the minister expressing confidence that the agreement will raise bilateral cooperation to a higher level and will play the role of a platform for the future EU-Azerbaijan relations.
Mammadyarov said the doubts regarding the weakening of the Eastern Partnership and the loss of its potential have recently continued to grow.
"We praise the progress in bilateral relations with the EU and we believe that the trans-regional projects promoted by Azerbaijan will have an impact on revival of the Eastern Partnership's multilateral format," added the minister.
He said that Azerbaijan is also interested in developing cooperation with the Visegrad Group and continues the political dialogue on the issues of mutual interest.
The foreign minister expressed confidence that the Visegrad Group partners will encourage the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) to issue a mandate to start negotiations with Azerbaijan on strategic partnership.
Azerbaijan also intends to restore the negotiations with the EU on the joint aviation agreement.
Edited by EA