Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 18 / Trend A. Akhundov /
Azerbaijan and the EU may sign an agreement on strategic cooperation in a number of spheres during the Eastern Partnership summit to be held in Vilnius on November 29-30, 2013, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev told media on Wednesday.
"We believe that several documents including an agreement on the visa system facilitation and readmission agreement, mobility partnership, a special type of EU partnership regarding labour migration policy and others may be signed within the summit in Vilnius," he said. "Moreover, today the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the EU covers only the energy sector. However, today we are preparing an agreement on Azerbaijan's modernisation envisaging the expansion of the list and including such areas as transport, agriculture and education."
The sides may sign a protocol expanding Azerbaijan's participation in EU programmes, as well as an agreement on cooperation between the agencies of Azerbaijan and the EU. This will contribute to institutional reforms and staff training in the country.
"Azerbaijan expects that the summit must thoroughly consider regional conflicts," he added. "This must be reflected in the final declaration of the summit. Second, such decisions that will make for more cooperation with the EU are much more useful for the Azerbaijani population and must be made at the summit."
"The meeting of foreign ministers of the six countries of the Eastern Partnership in Yerevan was useful as it was the last such meeting before the summit," he added.