Brussels, 09/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - During a seminar on 9 February, the EPP Group expressed its resolve to strengthen EU-Azerbaijan political and economic cooperation in the fields of energy, foreign policy and security policy. It is, however, crucial for an effort to be made in the process of democratisation, especially to counter corruption, ensure freedom of the press and protect human rights.
Azerbaijan is a significant geopolitical and economic ally for the EU. In addition to being a gateway to Asia, the country is one of the main suppliers of gas and oil for the EU, EPP President Wilfried Martens (Belgium) pointed out.
To consolidate EU Neighbourhood Policy, an Eastern Partnership was launched in 2009 with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine with a view to making the eastern neighbourhood a lasting part of the European agenda to implicitly prepare future accession, Martens said.
Azerbaijan's economic integration into the EU, however, will not be possible without in-depth progress in its democratic structure, stressed Monica Macovei (EPP, Romania), shadow rapporteur for Azerbaijan in the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs. The fight against corruption, the strengthening of a multi-party system, freedom of the press, protection of human rights and also reform in the judiciary are all essential changes that must be made if there is to be optimal cooperation at every level between the EU and Azerbaijan. Macovei went on to point out that, despite the economic crisis, Azerbaijan has the resources necessary for funding such reform. (Stag/transl.jl)