Brussels, 19/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - Although it welcomed progress in energy cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan, the European Parliament on Wednesday 18 April expressed its fears at the risk of expulsions or resettlements of sections of the population to make room for new buildings in Baku, as part of the Eurovision Song Contest, which is to be hosted by the Azeri capital at the end of May. In a resolution on the EU-Azerbaijan association agreement, which was adopted by 508 votes in favour, 29 against and 27 abstentions, on the basis of the report by Anneli Jäätteenmäki (ALDE, Finland), the MEPs also voiced concerns at growing criticism by the government of Azerbaijan towards human rights defenders, who are using this cultural event to improve the country's situation in terms of democracy and human rights. Talks on an EU-Azerbaijan association agreement, which were launched in July 2010, have made moderate progress, with just 13 of the 28 negotiation chapters having been concluded so far. (EH/transl.fl)