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EU-AZERBAIJAN: 2013 A DECISIVE YEAR IN RELATIONS, BUT LITTLE PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
ENPI Info, EU
March 27 2014
27-03-2014
2013 was a decisive year in EU-Azerbaijani bilateral relations,
according to a progress report released by the European Commission as
part of the 2014 ENP package, and which takes stock of the progress of
EU-Azerbaijan 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.
The report said negotiations continued on the Association Agreement
and on a Strategic Modernisation Partnership. On energy issues,
the cooperation continued, and the Strategic Energy Partnership
with Azerbaijan was strengthened, with steps taken in view of the
construction of the Southern Gas Corridor, which should reinforce
European energy security.
But the report says that, in contrast, very little progress was seen
on democratic governance and human rights reform. The organisation of
presidential elections raised serious concerns. Significant problems
were identified, including limitations in the freedom of expression,
assembly and association that did not guarantee a level playing field
for candidates.
Azerbaijan partly addressed its public financial management issues
and took measures to fight corruption, following recommendations
from the 2012 ENP Action Plan. However, it did not address key
recommendations to bring its electoral legislation into line with
OSCE/ODIHR recommendations to ensure full freedom of expression and
assembly and full functioning of a civil society, nor did it amend
laws on defamation and competition.
The report makes a number of recommendations with a view to the
sustained implementation of the ENP Action Plan in 2014, mainly in
the areas of human rights, electoral legislation, judicial reform
and action against corruption, public financial accountability and
economic diversification, and efforts towards settlement of the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. (EU Neighbourhood Info)gr
http://enpi-info.eu/maineast.php?id=36680&id_type=1&lang_id=450
ENPI Info, EU
March 27 2014
27-03-2014
2013 was a decisive year in EU-Azerbaijani bilateral relations,
according to a progress report released by the European Commission as
part of the 2014 ENP package, and which takes stock of the progress of
EU-Azerbaijan 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.
The report said negotiations continued on the Association Agreement
and on a Strategic Modernisation Partnership. On energy issues,
the cooperation continued, and the Strategic Energy Partnership
with Azerbaijan was strengthened, with steps taken in view of the
construction of the Southern Gas Corridor, which should reinforce
European energy security.
But the report says that, in contrast, very little progress was seen
on democratic governance and human rights reform. The organisation of
presidential elections raised serious concerns. Significant problems
were identified, including limitations in the freedom of expression,
assembly and association that did not guarantee a level playing field
for candidates.
Azerbaijan partly addressed its public financial management issues
and took measures to fight corruption, following recommendations
from the 2012 ENP Action Plan. However, it did not address key
recommendations to bring its electoral legislation into line with
OSCE/ODIHR recommendations to ensure full freedom of expression and
assembly and full functioning of a civil society, nor did it amend
laws on defamation and competition.
The report makes a number of recommendations with a view to the
sustained implementation of the ENP Action Plan in 2014, mainly in
the areas of human rights, electoral legislation, judicial reform
and action against corruption, public financial accountability and
economic diversification, and efforts towards settlement of the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. (EU Neighbourhood Info)gr
http://enpi-info.eu/maineast.php?id=36680&id_type=1&lang_id=450