EU attaches special importance to Azerbaijan's education system

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

The European Union attaches special importance to the education system in Azerbaijan, said Malena Mard on June 7.

The head of the EU mission in Baku announced about this when addressing a conference dedicated to the project of technical assistance, “EU Support to Vocational Education and Training,” in Baku

She noted that the EU and Azerbaijan will start four new grant projects from July. All these projects will be implemented for the modernization of vocational education centers, according to Mard.

A joint approach will contribute to ongoing reforms in the country, added Mard.

Stressing that the cooperation with Azerbaijan plays an important role for the EU, she noted that the improvement of vocational education and training together with higher education are the basis of economic diversification, economic reforms in Azerbaijan.

This system expands opportunities for those who entering or re-entering the market, said Mard. Saying that the improvement of vocational training should be conducted in the right direction, she noted that the EU has extensive experience in this field.

She also spoke about the importance of having a content of curriculums and programs that meets the market requirements. They should be written in such a way that students can easily learn and use them, added Mard.

The new project is aimed at the development of vocational education in Azerbaijan, said the official, adding that the EU will continue to support reforms in Azerbaijan.

“The project, presented today and funded by the EU, shows the great importance that the EU attaches to the educational system of Azerbaijan,” she added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev told APA that next stage of negotiations on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU will be held on June 13-14. He said that he meeting will be held in Baku.

“Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia and OSCE of the European External Action Service Luc Devigne will arrive in Azerbaijan. Negotiations will be conducted on two blocks - political security and trade,” he said.  

The new agreement between EU and Azerbaijan should replace the 1996 partnership and cooperation agreement and should better take account of the shared objectives and challenges the EU and Azerbaijan face today.

The agreement will follow the principles endorsed in the 2015 review of the European Neighborhood Policy and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.

The new agreement envisages the compliance of Azerbaijan’s legislation and procedures with the EU’s most important international trade norms and standards, which should lead to the improvement of Azerbaijani goods’ access to the EU markets.