Brussels, 16/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton was in Azerbaijan on Tuesday 15 November to “develop further the bilateral relationship between the European Union and Azerbaijan and highlight the importance of making sure that our relationships are tailor-made to suit the needs of both”. “I hope my visit here today”, she said during a press briefing after her meeting with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, “will be an opportunity to demonstrate the value that we place on this relationship and consider further in our meetings what more we can do to develop and deepen that relationship in the future”.
The EU foreign policy chief said that the Eastern Partnership, in which Baku plays a part, is “an important way in which we demonstrate the closeness of our relationship, building on common values and aspirations”, including with regard to human rights. She also pointed out that Azerbaijan is an “increasingly important player” for Europeans when it comes to energy.
Catherine Ashton underlined Azerbaijan's growing role in the south Caucasus and congratulated Baku for its election, which will allow it to hold a seat as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2012-2013.
The high representative and the minister discussed the conflict in Nagorny Karabakh between Azerbaijanis and Armenians. They also “briefly” discussed some foreign policy issues, and the high representative set out the European stance on Iranian nuclear policy for the foreign minister. (CG/transl.jl)