I regard the talks held on 17 July over the Action Plan under the European Policy on New Neighborhood of the European Union (EU) as effective, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, Mahmud Mammadguliyev, told Trend in an exclusive interview. He was commenting on the results of next round of consultations between Azerbaijan and the EU.
According to Mammadguliyev, under the Action Plan with the EU three category of questions are discussed. These are political dialogue, issues linked with the economy and those linked with different sector of economy, including energy. The talks on political issues held on 17 July were very successful, the diplomat underlined. The sides concluded discussions on this category and all proposals put forward by Azerbaijan were adopted by the counterparts in EU, he stressed.
As to the economic bloc and the so-called sectorial bloc, the two sides will continue the consultations, he underlined. The work in this direction will continue on the level of the diplomatic channels. If there is necessity for a new meeting, then the EU will have to take a decision, Mammadguliyev underscored.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Action Plan can be adopted by the end of the year.
The third round of talks between the EU and Azerbaijan on Action Program of the European Neighborhood Policy was held in Baku on 17 July. The Deputy General Director of the foreign relationships Directorate of the European Commission, Fokion Fotiadis, led the EU mission in the talks, while Azerbaijani delegation was led by Mammadguliyev.