Relations between Azerbaijan and EU Transferred to a New Stage EU Special Envoy for South Caucasus

The relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union have transferred to a new stage, the Special Representative of the European Union for South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, stated at a Press-Conference on December 16 in Baku as a result of his visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Semneby added that the relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union have transferred from the co-operation stage to the integration one. The beginning of the new phase of the co-operation says that the key principles will be further assessed. These relations are the development of the democratic institutions, freedom of press and supremacy of law, he said.

Semneby said that within his two-day visit to Baku, he discussed the issue of freedom of press in Azerbaijan and the questions that are of concern for the EU were delivered to the attention of the Azerbaijani side. In addition, the EU Special Representative expressed the satisfaction of the EU with the restoration of the transmission of ANS TV. Semneby added that the monitoring of the situation with the freedom of press in Azerbaijan will continue.

Further, he remembered that the EU Baku Office will be opened in the first half of January 2007, which will allow to further strengthen the co-operation between Azerbaijan and EU. Moreover, Semneby said that annual reports will be prepared regarding Azerbaijan, and the dialogue between Azerbaijan and EU will continue.