Brussels, 26/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - Relations between the EU and Azerbaijan developed in 2014, the European Commission said on Wednesday 25 March.
In its progress report, the Commission notes that visa facilitation and readmission agreements came into force and the protocol on the participation of Azerbaijan in EU programmes and agencies came into force in 2014.
The Commission also noted that there had been some regression in the process of democratic transition and on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. The situation has also seriously deteriorated for civil society organisations. The Commission recommends that a political and judicial environment that is better disposed towards civil society be created and that reform of the judicial system continue.
The Commission would also like Azerbaijan to step up its efforts to reach a comprehensive peace settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)