EU financial package for Azerbaijan increased to ˆ122.5mln

The EU has agreed to earmark ˆ19 million under the Comprehensive Institution Building Programme, bringing Europe's overall aid package for Azerbaijan for the next three years to ˆ122.5 million, a statement by the info center of ENP (European Neighborhood Policy), released on Friday.

According to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the EU is deeply committed to providing assistance to Azerbaijan in political and economic reforms.

A delegation of the European Commission, headed by its President Jose Manuel Barroso arrived in Baku on Jan. 13. This is Barroso's first visit to Azerbaijan during his tenure as the European Commission President. Barroso was accompanied by Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger.

The program budget for Azerbaijan by 2013 will be increased at the expense of funds that will be partially allocated for the EU initiative "Eastern Partnership". The previous program was approved in amount of ˆ88 million.

The ENP Action Plan priorities for Azerbaijan approved in November 2006 in Brussels are: strengthening democracy, improving business and investment climate, supporting durable economic development, harmonizing legislation in economic and management practices, and strengthening EU-Azerbaijan cooperation in energy and transport.


/Trend/