European Union promotes progress on Azerbaijan's accession to WTO

The EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, in cooperation with the Azerbaijani National Committee for European Integration (ANCEI), organised a well-attended conference on "Accession of Azerbaijan to the WTO: International experiences" in Baku today. The conference was opened by Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev as Chief Negotiator on WTO, and was attended by trade experts, economists, business and civil society representatives. The event allowed participants to take stock of the negotiations and to debate on the challenges and opportunities for Azerbaijan.

"The cumulative benefits of the legislative, policy and institutional changes brought about by WTO membership are immense. Reforms required under the accession process provide the country with tremendous economic opportunities, in line with the efforts of modernisation and diversification of Azerbaijan" said Ambassador Roland Kobia, the Head of the EU Delegation.

The European Union attaches great importance to Azerbaijan's efforts to become a WTO member. The WTO is a multilateral trading system that opens worldwide markets for goods and services to its members, leading to greater trade, more jobs, cheaper and better quality products and sustainable economic growth.

The Eastern Partnership Programme launched by the EU and the six partner countries including Azerbaijan in 2009 creates new perspectives for the economic integration of Azerbaijan into the EU, in particular through the conclusion of the new Association Agreements and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements. However, a new trade agreement with the EU can only be adopted following Azerbaijan accession to WTO. The EU is ready to provide all the necessary support to the country in its efforts toward that end.


/Today.Az/