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Elmar Mammadyarov: â€œAzerbaijan is ready to coordinate its efforts with other international actors, especially with the European Union during the whole period of its chairmanshipâ€.Â

22 July 2014 23:21 (UTC +04:00)

Using this opportunity, I would like to stress that the Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship encourages all EU member and Eastern Partner countries to actively support and to constructively contribute to a number of activities to be organized with aim at strengthening that cooperation. While addressing the challenges that Europe is currently facing, Azerbaijan is ready to coordinate its efforts with other international actors, especially with the European Union during the whole period of its chairmanship”.

APA reports quoting press service of Minister of Foreign Affairs that Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan said at the Foreign Minister’s meeting of EU Member States and Eastern Partnership countries.

At the Vienna Ministerial Session in May 2014, where we assumed the chairmanship, the Ministers of the member-states of the Council of Europe examined a report on co-operation with EU and expressed their satisfaction regarding the development of such co-operation. Let me assure you that our Chairmanship will seek to further strengthen this co-operation in all cross-cutting areas.

In that regard, please be informed that we are planning to host a high-level Ministerial Conference on the neighborhood policy of the Council of Europe in Baku in November 2014. As a country located at the crossroads of two continents, which enjoys strong historical relations with European and Asian countries, Azerbaijan intends to support Europe’s endeavours to ensure more secure and prosperous neighbourhood. The Conference will provide a valuable forum for exploring the avenues for a long-term engagement with the countries covered by the neighbourhood policy through strengthened political dialogue.

Another important event that the Azerbaijani chairmanship intends to organise within the EU – Council of Europe cooperation is the celebration event of the European Heritage Days, which is the joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. The event scheduled for early October in Baku is meant to give additional impetus to the objectives of the Heritage Days and raise further awareness of the need and importance to protect cultural heritage.