Azerbaijan, Baku, June 8 / Trend I.Khalilova /
The Azerbaijani government's negotiations with the European Commission to conclude the association agreement could begin in the near future, which is possible in connection with the provision of mandate to negotiate with the three South Caucasus countries by the EU Council May 10, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev said today.
"The beginning of negotiations depends on the solution of technical and operational issues, as well as the choice of subjects," he said. "So far, Azerbaijan has been cooperating with the EU on the basis of a partnership agreement and cooperation."
Signing of such an agreement with Europe will become for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia means of establishing free trade and movement of people.
"It will raise cooperation with EU countries to a new level and will allow Azerbaijan to create a unified free trade zone with the European countries," Mammadguliyev said.
According to the requirements of the European Union, the pretender country must be a member of the WTO for participation in the zone. Azerbaijan still has observer status in the organization.
The deepening of EU cooperation with countries interested in signing an agreement on free trade and visa simplification, which is part of the associative agreement will give an opportunity for free access to European markets.
Meanwhile, it is expected that the European Commission will assist Azerbaijan in developing institutional and human potential to negotiate and implement agreements. The existing institutions involved in this process will be strengthened. Assistance will also cover the implementation of the country's national plan of action for the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership (EaP).
Earlier, Head of the EU delegation in the country Roland Kobia said that the European Commission has already begun to develop a comprehensive institutional capacity-building program to conclude and implement the agreement in Azerbaijan. The amount of the assistance to the government of the country is expected to be about 20 million euros.
The EU-Azerbaijan relations began to intensify within the Eastern Partnership in May 2009. They also include the prospect of modernizing the contractual relationship between the parties and the establishment of the association agreement. The Eastern Partnership also provides for closer economic and trade relations with the EU as part of a deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA) after achieving membership in the WTO.
Foreign ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia participated in the annual session of the European Council for Cooperation with South Caucasus countries in Brussels September 30, 2009. A decision was made about a prospect of the association membership of the Caucasus countries into the EU. It is the most effective stimulus for conflict resolution and internal reforms in these countries.
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