Brussels, 03/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission would have liked to conclude an air transport agreement with Azerbaijan this year but this now seems increasingly improbable. European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas expressed his disappointment at the delays incurred when he met the Azerbaijani economic development minister, Shahin Mustafayev, in Brussels at the end of last week (see EUROPE 10899).
Back in 2011, the Commission obtained a negotiating mandate for the aviation agreement, which should replace all bilateral agreements. Negotiations with the Azerbaijani authorities began in January this year and were expected to continue in June. However, on the basis of a draft agreement, Baku deferred resuming the talks without fixing a new, clear negotiating timetable. Concern was apparently expressed by other ministries as well as by airline companies, says a source familiar with this issue. Kallas quizzed Musafayev on this matter but the latter must seek the backing of his government before talks can be rekindled. Although the same source affirms that it may take several months to conclude an aviation agreement, it would appear that, with no new date fixed for a round of negotiations, it is unrealistic to expect an agreement this year. (MD/transl.jl)