23/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Strengthening of bilateral relations. On Friday 23 November, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle and the Azerbaijani deputy minister for foreign affairs, Mahmud Mammad-Quliyev, met in order to discuss strengthening their bilateral relations. Stating that the EU and Baku have already intensified their relations, Füle went on that “there is still a huge potential to further develop our ties, through Azerbaijan's active involvement in the Eastern Partnership. The ongoing negotiations on a new association agreement are the most visible expression of our common intention to bring our relationship to a higher level.” He said that “respect for human rights and democratic principles deserves the highest level of commitment”, adding that despite positive steps over recent months there is “is definitely room for improvement”. In Füle's opinion, further effort is needed on electoral law, freedom of assembly and freedom of the media. (CG/transl.fl)