By Azernews

By Rashid Shirinov

The progress of negotiations on the draft agreement on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the EU, as well as the development of cooperation have been discussed in Baku on October 9.

The topics were discussed at the meeting of the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov with a delegation headed by the Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs - Political Director for the European External Action Service (EEAS) Jean-Christophe Belliard.

Mammadyarov said that the new agreement covers political, economic, trade, transport, energy, humanitarian and other spheres, and noted that Azerbaijan has created an important framework for the comprehensive development of relations. The parties also noted the successful continuation of negotiations on the agreement on open skies between the EU and Azerbaijan.

The meeting further discussed the visit to Azerbaijan of the delegation headed by the Chairman of the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union, including the EU’s ambassadors accredited in Brussels, the delegation’s meeting with the Azerbaijani President and the extensive discussion held at the meeting. It was noted that this visit will make an important contribution to the development of dialogue between the EU and Azerbaijan.

Elmar Mammadyarov further informed Jean-Christophe Belliard about the negotiation process on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He noted that the Armenian troops must be withdrawn from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions in order to achieve the soonest settlement of the conflict and change of the unacceptable status quo.

The parties also exchanged views on topical issues of the international agenda and on the upcoming summit of the Eastern Partnership.

In February 2017, the EU and Azerbaijan launched negotiations on a new strategic agreement that will replace the old one - the partnership and cooperation agreement signed in 1996. The new agreement must more take into account the common goals and challenges facing the EU and Azerbaijan today.

Currently, the EU is Azerbaijan's first trading partner representing 51 percent of Azerbaijan's total trade. The EU's exports to Azerbaijan consist primarily of machinery and transport equipment whereas EU imports from Azerbaijan cover mainly oil and gas (98 percent of total imports).

Azerbaijan's trade turnover with the EU amounted to $4.33 billion in January-August 2017, some $3.18 billion out of which accounted for the export to EU countries.