Details added (First version was posted at 13:46)

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 21 / Trend A.Badalova /

The Southern Gas Corridor is a vital strategic project for both Azerbaijan and the EU, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said at a press-conference in Brussels on Friday on the results of the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The statement of Van Rompuy is posted on the European Council's official website.

Van Rompuy stressed that today he had a frank, broad and constructive discussion with the Azerbaijani President covering the whole range of areas of mutual interests between Azerbaijan and the EU, as well as the evolution of two sides' relationship.

"Among other aspects our discussion covered energy. I shared my satisfaction about the remarkable progress achieved on the Southern Gas Corridor which is a vital strategic project for both of us," Van Rompuy said.

"I confirmed that Azerbaijan is a very important partner for the EU - we have achieved a great deal working together in the energy field, but we can do even a lot more," he added.

Van Rompuy said that during the meeting key events coming up in 2013 were also reviewed and assessed, among which are the Presidential elections.

"The European Union hopes that these elections are conducted according to the highest standards," he said.

Van Rompuy stressed that the EU-Azerbaijan relations are good.

"Our long term commitment is to strengthening our relations even further by working towards concluding negotiations on the Association Agreement. With an Association Agreement our relationship can achieve its full potential," Van Rompuy.