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President of Azerbaijan: â€œThe Association Agreement will create a base for long-term cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EUâ€

22 June 2011 23:14 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Victoria Dementieva â€“ APA. â€œRelations with the EU are developing very successfully. These relations have a long history. We work on agreement of association. And we hope that it will create a foundation for a long-term cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EUâ€, APA reports. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at the joint press briefing on the results of the meeting with EU President Herman van Rompuy.

In turn, the EU President declared his intention to further strengthen EU relations with Azerbaijan. â€œWe are pleased that negotiations on association agreement progressing wellâ€, added Mr. Rompuy and congratulated Azerbaijani President on the victory of his country at â€œEurovisionâ€ song contest.

Commenting on the upcoming summit of the Eastern Partnership, which will be held this September in Warsaw, Mr. Rompuy said: â€œWe hope that holding of this summit will give an impetus to the partner countries to participate in the program, and that summit will promote cooperation and dialogueâ€.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev thanked Mr. Rompuya for congratulations on the victory of Azerbaijan in â€œEurovisionâ€ song contest, noting that â€œthis victory is an opportunity to show our country and its cultureâ€.

Commenting on the energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union, the President Aliyev said that today Europe is a major consumer of Azerbaijanâ€™s energy resources and its largest trading partner. â€œIn January, during the visit of the European Commission President Barroso to Azerbaijan a special working group was set up after signing the declaration related to the Southern Gas Corridor. So, now we have a basis for cooperation. And we hope to complete all necessary arrangements by the end of this year. Itâ€™ll allow using the energy potential of the country for the benefit of our peopleâ€.