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Azerbaijan did not join in clause of Eastern Partnership Declaration regarding Belarus and issued proviso to one clause

16 December 2021 18:16 (UTC +04:00)

European Union (EU) remains committed to its support to the territorial integrity within their internationally recognized borders, independence, and sovereignty of all Eastern partners, reflected in the Joint Declaration approved by the EP countries and European Union member countries at the Eastern Partnership Summit held in Brussels, 15 December 2021, APA reports.

In this Declaration, support has been expressed to the good neighborly relations, confidence-building measures, regional cooperation, strengthening transport links in the Eastern Partnership region.

It is noted in the Declaration that the EU and interested partners welcome progress in the ongoing negotiations between the EU and Azerbaijan on a new comprehensive Agreement.

EU and interested partners welcome the completion of the Southern Gas Corridor project, which has contributed to the diversification of gas sources and routes of supply to the EU.

“We welcome mutual recognition of the COVID-19 digital certificates in place for Armenia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, and soon for Azerbaijan, allowing for safer and easier travel to and from the EU,” stressed in the Declaration.

Note that Azerbaijan has not joined Clause 11 of the Declaration on Belarus. It is due to that the clause is related to the internal affairs of Belarus. In this way, Azerbaijan has once more demonstrated that respect to sovereignty, non-interference to internal affairs of countries is a “red line” for it.

The Republic of Azerbaijan has a reservation to any operations “in conflict-affected regions” referred to in paragraph 8 of the Annex to this Joint Declaration carried out in the absence of a relevant request and agreement with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Clause 8 of the Joint Declaration entitled "Together for resilient, gender-equal, fair and inclusive societies" reads: "The promotion of an enabling environment for civil society, including social partners, will entail EU support to 2,500 local civil society organizations and support provided in new areas such as social innovation, social economy, and social entrepreneurship. Particular support will be given to organizations operating outside capitals, in conflict-affected regions in local languages, and women’s organizations."