Azernews.Az

By Gunay Hasanova

The European Union and Azerbaijan are in process of creating delegations that will head negotiations on a new strategic partnership agreement.

Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan Malena Mard announced about this while talking to reporters on November 21, APA said.

Mard noted that the EU is satisfied with starting negotiations with Azerbaijan on an extensive and comprehensive agreement that covers many areas.

“The delegation on transport will arrive in Azerbaijan this week. Other delegations are also expected to pay a visit to Azerbaijan. Intensive talks are underway in many spheres,” she added.

The European Council adopted a mandate for the European Commission and the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy to negotiate on November 14, on behalf of the EU and its member states, a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan.

The new agreement 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.

Currently, the EU is Azerbaijan’s major trade partner. The share of European countries in Azerbaijan’s foreign trade was 37.12 percent in January-September 2016, according to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee.

Azerbaijan has become a country of direct priority to the EU’s strategy in its wider neighborhood since the last enlargement of the European Union in 2007. Azerbaijan affects Europe’s interests, mainly in a regional energy strategy.

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Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova

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