Brussels, 30/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 29 August, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle and Azerbaijan's Minister for Economic Development Shahin Moustafayev signed a financing agreement worth €19.5 million.
This envelope will help launch the framework programme for the EU-Azerbaijan agreements - a programme which is due to support modernisation and reform in Azerbaijan, and help ensure the effective implementation of the commitments taken in the agreement, especially the association agreement that is being negotiated and the sectoral agreements. “We need a strengthened public administration, including in the regions, providing modern services and acting with sensitivity to critical cross-cutting issues such as environmental sustainability and gender”, said Füle after signing the financing agreement. He underlined the EU's resolve to continue “to give concrete support” to core reforms such as those of public finance, education, regional development and justice, and he recalled “the excellent cooperation” already achieved in the energy sector.
Füle also called for free and fair elections, stating the EU's “strong wish” for the forthcoming presidential elections on 19 October “to be conducted in an atmosphere of freedom and transparency”. He stated that it was of “central importance” that the future be founded on democracy and the rule of law. Azerbaijan is currently one of the most repressive countries in the world.
Füle and Moustafayev also discussed political, economic and regional developments, and the Eastern Partnership summit that will take place in Vilnius at the end of November. “We are at a critical moment of our relations. This year offers opportunity for both the European Union and Azerbaijan”, Füle said. (CG/transl.fl)