Brussels, 28/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Discussions with Azerbaijan on negotiations leading to a visa facilitation and readmission agreement and a free-trade area could begin in early 2012, Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Stefan Füle announced on Friday 25 November. “We hope to open discussions on a visa facilitation agreement and a free-trade agreement at the start of next year”, Füle said after the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council. Both the EU and Azerbaijan are happy with the progress of on-going talks on the association agreement. “Discussions are on the right track, though we would like to make faster progress in certain areas”, Füle said.
The two sides also discussed the recent political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan. The EU will review the measures it will take to help the country “in its reform process and to enhance cooperation in the energy sector and the dialogue on energy security”, stated Polish Secretary of State for European Affairs Mikolaj Dowgielewicz.
The EU, “concerned” by the human rights and fundamental liberties situation, urged Azerbaijan to speed up its reforms in these areas. (CG/transl.rt)