EU and Azerbaijan to resume negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement

The European Union and Azerbaijan have agreed to resume negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas announced at a press conference in Baku on 25 April.

During her visit to Azerbaijan, she met with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

“This is a relationship to grow based on mutual respect, including respect for our Member States and on fundamental principles, including the respect for the rule of law and human rights,” Kallas said, commenting on the future renewed cooperation agreement.

She called Azerbaijan “an important partner in the region”: “Together, the EU and Azerbaijan have made significant progress in strengthening their ties. We discussed ways to further increase trade and improve connectivity.”

The EU High Representative thanked Baku for helping the EU to diversify its energy supplies, for humanitarian support for Ukraine, and for Azerbaijan’s leadership in hosting the COP29 climate summit last year. “Multilateral efforts like these show that when countries work together, we can make a real impact on the global stage,” Kallas said.

The EU and Azerbaijan also had a “good exchange” regarding the normalisation of Azerbaijan’s relations with Armenia.

“The European Union supports the efforts of both sides to reach sustainable and lasting peace. Armenia and Azerbaijan now have an opportunity to achieve this,” Kallas said. 

She also welcomed the agreement reached on the text of the Peace treaty, adding that the EU is looking forward to the next steps.

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