BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. On 20 May, Azerbaijan
and the European Union held the seventh meeting of their Security
Dialogue in Baku, Trend reports.
The participants held a constructive exchange on the current
state of EU-Azerbaijan relations and on foreign and security policy
issues of mutual interest. They welcomed the recent intensification
of high-level contacts, including the visits of President of the
European Council António Costa and the High-Representative /
Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas to Azerbaijan
and their meetings with President Ilham Aliyev, and reaffirmed
their shared interest in further developing bilateral
relations.
The parties noted the importance of ongoing discussions on
renewed Partnership Priorities and on a new bilateral agreement.
They also underlined the importance of maintaining regular dialogue
under the existing EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement.
The participants discussed regional and international
developments, including on geopolitical developments and foreign
policy, connectivity, energy security and the Middle Corridor /
Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. The EU acknowledged Azerbaijan’s
role as an important partner for regional connectivity and energy
diversification, while underlining the importance of sustainable,
economically viable and rules-based cooperation.
The EU reiterated its support for humanitarian demining efforts
in Azerbaijan and welcomed continued cooperation in this area. In
the context of their visit, on 19 May, the EU delegation visited
the Garabagh and East Zangezur Economic regions, including Aghdam
district where it observed the demining efforts carried out by the
Azerbaijani authorities.
The participants further exchanged views on the
Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process. The EU welcomed the progress
achieved in recent months, including confidence-building steps and
growing contacts between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and encouraged
continued dialogue and practical engagement in support of a
sustainable and lasting peace.
The parties agreed to expand the format and rename it as the
EU-Azerbaijan Political and Security Dialogue, reflecting the
growing breadth and strategic importance of the bilateral
relationship.
The meeting was co-chaired by Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Olof Skoog, Deputy
Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the European External
Action Service.
