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European Commission publicizes report about development on Azerbaijan

15 May 2012 16:45 (UTC +04:00)

APA reports quoting the European Unionâ€™s website that the document reflects the main factors of Azerbaijan-EU cooperation and EUâ€™s recommendations on different spheres.

The reports note that the negotiations on an Association Agreement progressed at a slow pace. The negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade (DCFTA) could not start as Azerbaijan is not a member of WTO which is a pre-condition to the start of DCFTA negotiations.

On the basis of this yearâ€™s report and with a view to sustained implementation of the ENP Action Plan in 2012, Azerbaijan is invited to:

- Extend full cooperation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on political prisoners.
- Step up efforts together with Armenia to reach agreement on the Madrid Principles in accordance with the commitments made by the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the framework of the Minsk Group.
- Provide unconditional access for representatives of the EU to Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding regions.
- Step up reform efforts in all aspects of the judicial system.

â€œNegotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the Minsk Group led to no tangible results in 2011. Amidst increasing tension along the Line of Contact, mediation efforts resulted in marginal progress on the investigation of the violation of the ceasefire agreement. Despite the economic slowdown, Azerbaijan made further progress, i.e. it broadly maintained macroeconomic stability, reduced poverty and encouraged the diversification of the economyâ€ â€“ the report notes.