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Jose Manuel Barroso: "The EU supports reforms that are implemented under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevâ€

14 January 2011 04:15 (UTC +04:00)

According to him the EU covered all issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU, which has already become a reality.

European Commission President said the EU supports reforms that are implemented under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Jose Manuel Barosso expressed satisfaction that Azerbaijan considers the Eastern Partnership is an important factor in the development of the country.

He said that democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights is an important moment in the relations between Azerbaijan and the EU.

European Commission President continuing the theme of cooperation noted that there is a new Associate Agreement and negotiations on this issue has began.

â€Our goal is to deepen our strategic partnership, and to close Azerbaijan to the European market. I am pleased to note that we will begin negotiations on the agreement on simplification of visa regime. This will happen soon. For Azerbaijani citizens will become easier to travel to EU member states. This is a very important issue that requires in terms of establishing closer relations between peoplesâ€™,- European Commission President said.

European Commission President stressed that the EU supports political and economic reforms held in Azerbaijan.

In his point of view, has been created effective cooperation in the energy field. â€œAzerbaijan is a reliable partner and plays an important role as an exporter and transit of energy resourcesâ€, - he said.

Barroso said that the signed memorandum on Southern Energy Corridor will create conditions for EU countries without any intermediaries to buy Azerbaijani gas.

European Commission President stressed the importance of diversifying energy supplies and appreciated the desire of Azerbaijan to contribute to ensuring energy EC.

Especially Southern Energy Corridor will be reliable access for Azerbaijan to enter to European markets, he said.

Barroso also stressed Azerbaijanâ€™s participation in the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

Jose Manuel Barroso expressed concern about the lack of progress in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Addressing to both sides he called on to make every effort to achieve peacefully settlement of conflict. Noting the need for further activities of OSCE Minsk Group, Barroso said the EU will also contribute to the achievement of peace in this conflict.

"We support the principle of territorial integrity and from this point of view, we wish Azerbaijan to ensure its territorial integrity", - he said.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso supported the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group and expressed hope that negotiations will succeed soon.