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EUROPEAN COMMISSION PUBLISHES PROGRESS REPORT ON AZERBAIJAN
Trend, Azerbaijan
March 27 2014
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 27
By Sabina Ahmadova - Trend:
European Commission has published progress report on Azerbaijan within
the frameworks of the 'Neighbourhood Package'.
"The report on Azerbaijan underlines key/main developments and reform
efforts in 2013 and makes recommendations for the year to come,"
according to the official website of European Union.
European Commission said 2013 was a decisive year in the EU-Azerbaijani
bilateral relations.
"Azerbaijan's participation in the Eastern Partnership Summit in
Vilnius, which coincided with the signing of the Visa Facilitation
Agreement and the Mobility Partnership, underlined the potential to
further develop EU/Azerbaijani relations. Negotiations continued on the
Association Agreement and on a Strategic Modernization Partnership,"
according to the report. "On energy issues, the cooperation
continued. The Strategic Energy Partnership with Azerbaijan was
strengthened; steps were taken in view of the construction of the
Southern Gas Corridor which should reinforce the European energy
security."
The report also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was
noted that the stalemate in the Minsk Process aiming at settling the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continued for most of 2013.
"However, the presidents of the two countries reconvened in November
2013 for the first time since January 2012 in a summit in Vienna,
mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, at which they agreed to
advance negotiations towards a peaceful settlement and to meet again
in the months ahead," according to the report.
It was also noted in the report that an upsurge of violence along the
line of contact was witnessed in early 2014 and that the EU continued
to give its full support to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in their
work to facilitate a lasting settlement.
Azerbaijan took measures to fight corruption, following recommendations
from the 2012 ENP Action Plan, according to the report.
The European Commission also recommended Azerbaijan to:
- ensure effective and comprehensive implementation of the January
2013 resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan;
- continue implementation of the human rights action plan adopted in
December 2011;
- continue the reform of the judiciary and adopt the Judiciary Reform
Program 2014-2020;
- continue the policy of economic diversification and development of
the regions;
- implement the actions scheduled for 2013-2014 under the Memorandum
of Understanding in the field of energy;
- step up efforts towards agreement on the Madrid Principles, as a
basis for peace, in accordance with the commitments undertaken by
the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia within the Minsk Group;
refrain from actions and statements that could heighten tension and
undermine the peace process;
- promote an environment conducive to progress in the conflict
settlement, encourage and support related peace-building activities.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Trend, Azerbaijan
March 27 2014
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 27
By Sabina Ahmadova - Trend:
European Commission has published progress report on Azerbaijan within
the frameworks of the 'Neighbourhood Package'.
"The report on Azerbaijan underlines key/main developments and reform
efforts in 2013 and makes recommendations for the year to come,"
according to the official website of European Union.
European Commission said 2013 was a decisive year in the EU-Azerbaijani
bilateral relations.
"Azerbaijan's participation in the Eastern Partnership Summit in
Vilnius, which coincided with the signing of the Visa Facilitation
Agreement and the Mobility Partnership, underlined the potential to
further develop EU/Azerbaijani relations. Negotiations continued on the
Association Agreement and on a Strategic Modernization Partnership,"
according to the report. "On energy issues, the cooperation
continued. The Strategic Energy Partnership with Azerbaijan was
strengthened; steps were taken in view of the construction of the
Southern Gas Corridor which should reinforce the European energy
security."
The report also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was
noted that the stalemate in the Minsk Process aiming at settling the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continued for most of 2013.
"However, the presidents of the two countries reconvened in November
2013 for the first time since January 2012 in a summit in Vienna,
mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, at which they agreed to
advance negotiations towards a peaceful settlement and to meet again
in the months ahead," according to the report.
It was also noted in the report that an upsurge of violence along the
line of contact was witnessed in early 2014 and that the EU continued
to give its full support to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in their
work to facilitate a lasting settlement.
Azerbaijan took measures to fight corruption, following recommendations
from the 2012 ENP Action Plan, according to the report.
The European Commission also recommended Azerbaijan to:
- ensure effective and comprehensive implementation of the January
2013 resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan;
- continue implementation of the human rights action plan adopted in
December 2011;
- continue the reform of the judiciary and adopt the Judiciary Reform
Program 2014-2020;
- continue the policy of economic diversification and development of
the regions;
- implement the actions scheduled for 2013-2014 under the Memorandum
of Understanding in the field of energy;
- step up efforts towards agreement on the Madrid Principles, as a
basis for peace, in accordance with the commitments undertaken by
the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia within the Minsk Group;
refrain from actions and statements that could heighten tension and
undermine the peace process;
- promote an environment conducive to progress in the conflict
settlement, encourage and support related peace-building activities.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress