AZERBAIDJAN - ACTUALITES DE LA DELEGATION DE LA CE
GÉANT academic internet links to Black Sea region
GÉANT enhances the mobility of researchers by giving them access to the working environment that they use in their home university when they are in other institutions. The Black Sea interconnection project extends this network to 377 research institutes and universities of Southern Caucasus, a region known for its rich culture and scientific traditions.
(17 March, 2009)
One small step for GÉANT, one giant leap for the Black Sea region
The Commission today increased the internet capacity available across the Black Sea to researchers in the South Caucasus by switching on the region’s largest computer network for research and education. The EU-funded regional research and education network Black Sea Interconnection (BSI) links the South Caucasus countries and connects them to the high bandwidth, world-leading, pan-European GÉANT network that already serves 30 million researchers. This new connection will enable researchers and students to collaborate with their European peers in 40 countries, by sharing large amounts of data over the network.
(17 March, 2009)
EU – Russia Energy Dialogue
The energy partnership aims at improving the investment opportunities in Russia’s energy sector in order to upgrade and expand energy production and transportation infrastructure as well as improve their environmental impact, to encourage the ongoing opening up of energy markets, to facilitate the market penetration of more environmentally friendly technologies and energy resources, and to promote energy efficiency and energy savings.
(19 March, 2009)
European Council on the Eastern Partnership
The Eastern Partnership will promote stability and prosperity among the EU’s Eastern partners covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy. The European Council commits, on the terms set out in the declaration, to a deeper bilateral engagement and to a new multilateral framework involving the EU, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, aiming at accelerating reforms, legislative approximation and further economic integration.
(20 March, 2009)
High level Investment Conference on modernisation of Ukraine’s gas transit system
On 23 March in Brussels, the EU and Ukraine will meet with International Financial Institutions (IFIs), EU Member States and other countries, and representatives from the gas industry to discuss the necessary steps for the modernisation of the Ukrainian gas transit system.
(20 March, 2009)
EU-Ukraine Energy Security
Andris Piebalgs, Energy Commissioner, opening speech at the International Investment Conference on the Rehabilitation of Ukraine’s Gas Transit Network
“Ukraine is the single most important transit country for gas supplies to Europe. Around 80% of all Russian gas destined for Europe arrives through this route. The gas reaches as many as 12 EU Member States as well as Western Balkan countries and Turkey.”
(23 March, 2009)
“EU-Ukraine: Partners for securing gas to Europe”
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, “EU-Ukraine: Partners for securing gas to Europe”, welcoming remarks at the International investment conference on the modernisation of Ukraine’s gas transit system.
“Energy is a cornerstone not only of the Eastern Partnership, but also of the Association Agreement we are negotiating with Ukraine. In addition to specific cooperation on energy, it is also an important component of the deep and comprehensive free trade area.”
(23 March, 2009)
International investment conference on the modernisation of Ukraine’s gas transit system
José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, Speech of President Barroso at Conference on Modernisation of Ukraine’s Gas Transit System at the joint EU-Ukraine international investment conference on the modernisation of Ukraine’s gas transit system
“Ukraine is a key strategic partner playing a critical regional role: we look to Ukraine as a flagship in driving forward the Eastern Partnership initiative, which is so important to us, and more generally in upholding and promoting the European values which we share”.
(23 March, 2009)
Déclaration de la Commission: Turkménistan – Accord Commercial Intérimaire
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissaire pour les Relations extérieures et la politique de voisinage, Déclaration de la Commission: Turkménistan – Accord Commercial Intérimaire
“Le Turkménistan est un pays important d’Asie centrale dont la visibilité s’accroît dans la région à mesure qu’il cherche à renforcer ses relations avec la communauté internationale. Nous sommes très attachés à nos relations avec ce pays, ce qui répond aussi à notre stratégie avec l’Asie centrale.”
(25 March, 2009)
Your opinion on the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
The Commission services have begun to develop the concept leading to the establishment of the EaP Civil Society Forum. At this stage, it is envisaged that the Forum could be structured around yearly conferences where relevant subjects would be discussed and the results of the work of the Forum would feed into work of the multilateral structures of the Partnership.
(25 March, 2009)
Evaluation semestrielle du dialogue UE-Belarus
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissaire pour les Relations extérieures et la politique de voisinage, déclaration de la Commission: Evaluation semestrielle du dialogue UE-Belarus.
“La Biélorussie est à la croisée des chemins. Nous sommes au lendemain d’une décision du Conseil qui a confirmé la suspension temporaire de l’interdiction de séjour jusqu’à la fin de l’année, et nous sommes à la veille d’une résolution du Parlement européen”.
(25 March, 2009)
EU statement on Tajik law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations”
The EU would ask the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to convey to his authorities our disappointment at the precipitate way in which this law has been passed, despite the concerns expressed by a number of members of the Tajik Parliament and representatives of religious groups, including minority religious communities.
(2 April, 2009)
Conference of EU Inogate Project
The final project conference on the regional EU-funded Inogate project, called “Development of Coordinated National Energy Policies in Central Asia” has taken place today in Almaty. The objective of the event is to raise awareness of all stakeholders of the project in Central Asia about the manifold results of the project, to present best practices of related energy policy implementation in Europe and to discuss opportunities to use the experience and recommendations of the project.
(3 April, 2009)
Moldova: Statements by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner
“I am deeply concerned by reports about clashes between demonstrators and police in Chisinau. I call upon all involved to immediately stop any acts of violence. I urge all concerned to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. I strongly call for the leaders of all Moldovan parties to call for calm, pursue dialogue and avoid statements that could further inflame the situation. I remind all parties that any complaint in connection to last Sunday’s election should be addressed through the existing channels”.
(7 April, 2009)
Javier Solana concerned with the situation in the Republic of Moldova
Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), expressed his concern over the situation in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, and made the following statement :
(7 April, 2009)
Kazakhstan: public participation in nature protection training programme
The training for civil officers “Public Participation in Nature Protection Activities” started in Astana. The training is held within the framework of the EU-funded IBPP TACIS project “Transparency and Public Participation in Environmental Programmes in Kazakhstan» in three regions of the country.
(14 April, 2009)
Mid term review of the ENPI Programming Documents
In the context of the Mid Term Review Civil Society Organizations and other interested external stakeholders will be consulted on the concept notes of the new Indicative Programmes for the 2011-13 period.
(17 April, 2009)
EC Ambassador Jousten presents his credentials to Turkmen President
The Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Norbert Jousten, presented today his credentials in Ashgabat to the President of Turkmenistan H.E. Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov. Ambassador Norbert Jousten is the first Head of Delegation accredited by the European Commission to the President of Turkmenistan. Mr. Jousten stated that this reflects the growing importance of the relations between the European Union and Turkmenistan.
(22 April, 2009)
European Neighbourhood Policy Progress reports 2009
EU reinforces ties with its neighbours and continues to support their reforms
In its annual Progress Reports, the European Commission takes stock of the concrete reform achievements made by countries within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in 2008 and identifies the areas where further efforts are needed. In a policy paper on the implementation of the ENP presented today, the Commission provides an overview of developments in 12 ENP countries. It also highlights the impact of the financial crisis on them and proposes a number of ways the EU could contribute to their recovery process.
(23 April, 2009)
European Neighbourhood Policy – Azerbaijan
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner, said. “As an important partner to the EU, I would encourage Azerbaijan to advance efforts to fulfill the objectives of the jointly agreed Action Plan. We should continue to work to enhance our co operation, and the visit of President Aliyev next week is a sign of the mutual interest in such a dialogue”.
(23 April, 2009)
EU-Kyrgyz Republic: Drug Action Programme awards car
Today the EU-UNDP Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP) handed over a car (Lada Niva) to the Department of Correctional Institutions under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic. The car, handed over today, is intended to be used by CADAP’s beneficiary representatives in charge of preventing drug abuse amongst prisoners.
(24 April, 2009)
EU-Tajikistan: Border management training programme
A Regional Training-of-Trainers course on Integrated Border Management (IBM), organised with the support of the EU-UNDP Border Management in Central Asia assistance programme «BOMCA», finished today. During five days, experienced trainers from the European Union, supported by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, instructed representatives of border agencies from all five Central Asian countries on modern training methodologies to prepare and conduct trainings as trainers, on the IBM concept, and on cooperation and coordination between border agencies.
(24 April, 2009)
The situation in the Republic of Moldova, Plenary Debate, European Parliament
Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, on the situation in the Republic of Moldova during plenary debate in the European Parliament
“Today the situation in Moldova is very fragile. Moldova has consistently expressed its desire to deepen its relationship with the European Union. The current crisis is a test of its resolve in this regard”.
(27 April, 2009)
Eastern Partnership Summit to strengthen EU links with Eastern Europe and South Caucasus
The first Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit in Prague on 7 May will gather leaders from the EU Member States, EU institutions and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to launch this new framework of reinforced bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This ambitious initiative will lead to deepening of political and economic relations, more energy security, increased mobility and will give an additional boost to pro-democratic and market oriented reforms in partner countries.
(6 May, 2009)
Civil society in the Eastern Partnership
Benita Ferrero-Waldner Speech on civil society in the Eastern Partnership during the international conference “Eastern Partnership: towards Civil Society Forum”:
“We want to see stronger civil society participation in the public sphere, in particular to enhance oversight of public services and strengthen confidence in them.
So we have specifically committed ourselves to supporting civil society development, and a core part of that will be achieved through the Civil Society Forum.”
(6 May, 2009)
Joint Declaration of the Prague Eastern Partnership Summit
The participants of the Prague Summit agree that the Eastern Partnership will be based on commitments to the principles of international law and to fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as to, market economy, sustainable development and good governance.
(7 May, 2009)
Remarks by EU HR Javier Solana at the “Southern Corridor - New Silk Road” Summit
The centre-piece of the Southern Corridor is deeper co-operation on energy. As everybody knows, in the coming years the EU will be importing a growing amount of its energy from abroad. For this we will need to nurture partnerships with existing suppliers: Russia, Norway, Algeria to name a few. But we also want genuine diversification, both in terms of sources and transit routes. This is a strategic issue for us.
(8 May, 2009)
Statement of President Barroso following the Southern Corridor Summit
The Southern Corridor initiative is a key priority project for the EU. Our objective was to provide a further political push for the implementation of this strategic initiative and these were indeed achieved during this very important summit.
(8 May, 2009)
OSCE: EU Statement concerning Kyrgz Republic
The EU attaches great importance to the conduct of the upcoming presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan, and encourages the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure that the elections take place in an atmosphere that allows for a free political debate.
(13 May, 2009)
OSCE: EU Statement on Kazakhstan
It is with great concern, therefore, that we have learnt that the draft Law on Information and Communications Networks was given its first reading in the lower house of Parliament on 29 April. Among other provisions, this law, if enacted in its current form, would extend the existing regulation of traditional media types to encompass all Internet resources and enable prohibition of access within the country to foreignbased Internet-resources.
(13 May, 2009)
EIB welcomes call to support SMEs in Eastern Partnership countries
The President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Philippe Maystadt stated after the Eastern Partnership Launch Summit in Prague yesterday that: “The EIB stands ready to contribute to the development of the Eastern Partnership by financing sustainable investment projects. In this context, we welcome the joint declaration of this Summit inviting the EIB to start working on investment support for SMEs in the Eastern Partnership Countries. Such support is vital for sustainable economic development and our lending activities will improve SMEs’ access to long-term finance, which is particularly important in this time of financial crisis.”
(8 May, 2009)
Russia third trading partner of EU27
Between 2000 and 2008, EU27 trade in goods with Russia more than tripled in value, with EU27 exports to Russia rising to 105 bn euro in 2008 from 23 bn in 2000, and imports rising to 173 bn from 64 bn. As a result, the EU27 trade deficit with Russia increased significantly, reaching 68 bn in 2008, compared with 41 bn in 2000.
(19 May, 2009)
EU-Russia Summit on 21-22 May in Khabarovsk
The next EU-Russia Summit takes place in Khabarovsk, in the Russian Far East, on 21 and 22 May. The Summit is an opportunity or the EU and Russia to discuss how best to coordinate responses to the financial and economic crisis. Climate change and energy security are also high on the agenda. International issues which will be tackled at the Summit range from efforts to promote greater stability in the common neighbourhood and in Europe more generally, through to the situation in the Middle East, Afghanistan/Pakistan, Iran and Sri Lanka among others.
(20 May, 2009)
Joint US-EU statement on Georgia
The United States and the European Union urge Georgia’s government and opposition to end the current stalemate on the streets and begin negotiations immediately and without preconditions on a new program of reforms to invigorate Georgia’s democracy.
(25 May, 2009)
EU statement on Kyrgyz Republic
The EU therefore appeals to the Kyrgyz Republic to remove the abovementioned restrictions on the ODIHR’s observation mission for the forthcoming Presidential Elections.
(28 May, 2009)
European Union assists to improve water quality in Tajikistan
The Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia continues the implementation of the EU project “Harmonization and approximation of water standards and norms in Central Asia” to support Central Asian countries to tackle the issues on the worsening quality of surface water in the region.
(2 June, 2009)
EU and Russia make progress on WTO accession
EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and the Russian Minister for Economic Development, Elvira Nabiullina, met today in St. Petersburg to discuss Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), as well as bilateral trade issues. The two sides showed a commitment to be flexible on all open issues regarding Russia’s WTO accession. They agreed that Russian WTO membership should be sought as soon as possible, and that discussions would now continue between chief negotiators.
(4 June, 2009)
EU statement on appointment of Tajik Human Rights Ombudsman
The EU welcomes the appointment on 27 May 2009 of Zarif Alizoda as the first Tajik Human Rights Ombudsman. This is an important first step towards implementing the law on the Ombudsman Institution passed in March 2008 and strengthening the rule of law and human rights in Tajikistan.
(11 June, 2009)
Council conclusions on the Republic of Moldova
The Council recalls its strong commitment to further deepening the relationship between the EU and the Republic of Moldova, on the basis of shared values and principles. The Council welcomes in this context the Commission’s intention to launch a comprehensive package for democracy support in the Republic of Moldova.
(15 June, 2009)
EU Statement in response to the address by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan
The EU supports the Project Coordinator’s activities across the three dimensions, designed to assist Uzbekistan in meeting its OSCE commitments and pursuing its reform and democratization efforts.
(18 June, 2009)
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the termination of UNOMIG
The EU regrets Russia’s decision to block agreement in the UN Security Council despite efforts to accommodate the concerns of all parties involved and also regrets the Russian veto on the technical roll-over of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) to extend the presence of the Mission. The Mission has proven to be an effective confidence-building measure and an important tool for enhancing stability and security in Georgia as well as the whole South Caucasus region. Its termination further complicates the already volatile situation in the region and is clearly not in the interest of the civilians in this conflict zone.
(19 June, 2009)
EU-Belarus Human Rights dialogue begins
On 16-17 June 2009, the European Union and Belarus held the first round of human rights dialogue in Prague. The dialogue was held in a constructive and open atmosphere and allowed an exchange of views on the human rights situation both in Belarus and in the EU.
(19 June, 2009)
Equipment for border posts handed over in Tajikistan
The EU-UNDP Border Management in Central Asia (BOMCA) assistance programme handed over to the Tajik Border Troops specialised equipment to be used at Border Crossing Points (BCPs) “Fotekhabad” and “Patar”. The equipment (portable sets of specialised tools, endoscopes, binoculars, X-ray systems and cameras) will be used to check passports, identification documents and to examine vehicles at these two BCPs located on the Tajik-Uzbek border. The total cost of the equipment was over €60,000.
(22 June, 2009)
The European Union and Belarus: moving closer together?
Speech, Benita Ferrero-Waldner Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy: “We want to welcome Belarus into our web of close partnerships; and we hope Belarus will take the decisions that will now allow that to happen. But the European Union will not tell Belarus what to do. The choice for democracy is for the Belarusian people alone. You must make your own decisions about which direction to take and when”.
(22 June, 2009)
“European Energy Policy for the 21st century”
Speech, José Manuel Durão Barroso President of the European Commission: “In order to put emergency preparedness and crisis response on a sound footing for the future, I intend to propose in the next few weeks a revision of the EU’s directive on the security of gas supply. Member States have just agreed a few weeks ago a new Directive on emergency oil stocks that will make these stocks more reliable and more accessible in case of emergency”.
(24 June, 2009)
EU provides € 300 000 for victims of floods and mudslides in Tajikistan
The European Commission has adopted an emergency decision for € 300 000 to provide relief to victims of the May floods and mudflows in Tajikistan. The funding will be channelled via the Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department through non-governmental and international organisations. The targeted populations are the internally displaced people and the most affected populations in the Khatlon province and in the directly ruled districts.
(25 June, 2009)
EU-Turkmenistan human rights dialogue
On 30 June 2009, the European Union and Turkmenistan held the second round of human rights dialogue in Brussels. The human rights dialogue between the EU and Turkmenistan took place for the first time in June 2008 in Ashgabad. The dialogue was held in a constructive atmosphere with Turkmenistan demonstrating openness and considerable interest in engaging with the EU on a wide range of issues.
(30 June, 2009)
New research network to provide high speed connectivity for Central Asia
Central Asian researchers and students will be able to better collaborate with their colleagues across the world, through a new EU-funded high speed data-communications network. The CAREN (Central Asia Research and Education Network) project will provide high capacity Internet links for the first time to one million students and researchers in over 200 universities and research institutions along the ancient Silk Road in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to each other and to the global research community through connection to the high-speed pan-European GÉANT network.
(30 June, 2009)
The EC allocates €40 mio to multi-country projects in Eastern Europe and Southern Caucasus
The assistance package of €40mio will fund several programmes in different areas such as the strengthening of culture policies and civil society, support of SME networks, border management, air quality governance and disaster preparedness. All the projects to be financed with this programme will have a regional scope as they each will each benefit at least two of the seven partner states along the Eastern border of the EU (Russia, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia).
(3 July, 2009)
Commission provides further €2 million in humanitarian aid for conflict-affected people in Georgia
The European Commission has allocated a further €2 million for internally displaced people (IDPs), returnees and affected resident populations in Georgia who still rely on government and international community assistance to meet their basic needs.
(7 July, 2009)
EU signs aviation agreement with Azerbaijan
The European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan today signed an aviation agreement which will give all European airlines the possibility to fly between any EU Member State and Azerbaijan. The Agreement will be the basis to further strengthen aviation relations between the partners.
(7 July, 2009)
The European Commission allocates €70 million for key investment projects in the EU’s Neighbourh
The Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF), a key instrument of the intensified European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), will benefit in 2009 from a €70 million contribution by the European Commission. These resources will allow neighbouring partner countries to leverage increased funding for major investment projects in areas such as energy, transport and environment, and also SME development and the social sector. Out of the €700 million that the Commission intends to allocate to the NIF for the period 2007-2013, €170 million have now been made available for the financing of eligible projects.
(20 July, 2009)
Invitation to contribute information
In April 2009, the European Commission published the third set of ENP progress reports, on the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2008. In preparing these reports, the services of the Commission made use of contributions received from civil society in their specific areas of expertise. The Commission services are now beginning the preparations for the fourth package of progress reports, which will cover implementation in 2009 and which will be adopted in spring 2010. This package will be addressed to the Council and the European Parliament, and presented to the ENP partners concerned. It will also be made available to the public at large.
(14 October, 2009)
EU-Georgia Cooperation Council
The Cooperation Council between the European Union (EU) and Georgia held its tenth meeting on Monday 26 October 2009. The EU underlined the importance of sufficient progress in democracy, rule of law and human rights, which belong to important conditions for the deepening of bilateral cooperation between the EU and Georgia within the framework of the Eastern Partnership.
(26 October, 2009)
Civil Society Forum strengthens the Eastern Partnership
More than 200 Civil Society representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, the EU Member States, international organizations and networks as well as third countries are gathering in Brussels on 16-17 November for the first Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. The Forum demonstrates the EU’s commitment to take on board the views and ideas of people of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. The Forum will work on recommendations to EaP ministers who will be holding their first working meeting on 8 th December, in particular on priorities for work next year in the EaP multilateral platforms.
(16 November, 2009)
Benita Ferrero-Waldner speech at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
he Eastern Partnership is a project in the making. In order to succeed in this ambitious endeavour we must deliver lasting and visible results for the citizens of our partner countries and the EU. We know that civil societies in the Eastern Partnership want more: more democracy, greater recognition and closer cooperation with the authorities of your countries; better legislative frameworks, more resources for their activities, easier people to people contacts and travel to the European Union. These are legitimate aspirations. The Civil Society Forum gives you a platform to discuss all these issues and put forward solutions to the problems. Together we can achieve more by promoting open dialogue and inter-cultural exchanges and by proposing projects of common interest.
(17 November, 2009)
Council conclusions on the South Caucasus
The Council welcomes the expressed commitment of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to strive for an enhancement of their respective relations with the EU on the basis of the perspective provided through the Eastern Partnership.
(8 December, 2009)
Eastern Partnership implementation well on track - 1st Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers meeting
The first Meeting of Foreign Ministers in the framework of the Eastern Partnership on 8 December 2009 in Brussels will gather foreign ministers of 27 Member States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, as well as EU institutions. The European Commission will be represented by Commissioner for Trade and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. While taking note of the progress made on both the bilateral and the multilateral tracks of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) ministers are expected to endorse the Work Programmes for 2010 elaborated by the multilateral platforms. Bilateral work on further deepening of relations is advancing well with 2010 likely to see negotiations with five EaP partner countries on association agreements.
(8 December, 2009)
The EU actively supports investments for infrastructure projects in the EU’s neighbourhood
In 2009, The Neighbourhood Investment Facility will continue its support to mobilising important funding for infrastructure projects in the neighbourhood region of the European Union with a renewed pipeline of infrastructure projects to be financially supported. Between 2007-2013 the European Commission has earmarked a total amount of € 700 million for the NIF.
(23 January, 2009)
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will be traveling to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan from 19-22 January. During her visit the Commissioner will discuss proposals to substantially upgrade the level of political engagement with the EU’s Eastern neighbours in a new Eastern Partnership.
(16 January, 2009)
Commissioner criticises non-renewal of broadcasting licenses for several foreign broadcasters in Aze
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner: The decision by the Azerbaijani National TV and Radio Council not to renew the broadcasting licences of several foreign broadcasters, including the BBC, Radio Liberty and the Voice of America, is a matter of serious concern.
(31 December, 2008)
EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council
The Cooperation Council between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Azerbaijan held its ninth meeting on Tuesday 9 December 2008.
(9 December, 2008)
Commissioner Piebalgs underlines in Baku for the realisation of the Southern Gas Corridor
Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs met today in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, with the Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, as well as Minister of Energy and Industry Natig Aliyev, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov. During his meetings, the Commissioner underlined that Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of the EU and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to close and strengthened EU-Azerbaijani relations and to enhancing its energy partnership.
(7 November, 2008)
Benita Ferrero-Waldner makes a statement on the elections in Azerbaijan on 15 October
Benita Ferrero-Waldner’s statement on the elections in Azerbaijan on 15 October noted the progress in the conduct of the Presidential elections, held on 15 October.
(16 October, 2008)
The Tempus Programme: moderning higher education in EU’s neighbouring countries
The European Commission has launched the fourth phase of the Tempus programme, which supports the modernisation of higher education in the 28 partner countries of Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. A conference held in Cairo, Egypt, on 7-8 May 2008 concentrated on the issue of quality and the experience of the Tempus programme in this field since its beginnings in 1990.
(8 May, 2008)
Meeting of the Commissioner with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
The Commissioner met on September 16 with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. The meeting focussed on the situation in the South Caucasus, the bilateral cooperation on energy and the strengthening of the relationship between the European Union and Azerbaijan, including in the framework of the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan.
(17 September, 2008)
More funds for vital investment in EU’s neighbourhood
The European Union’s Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF) was launched on 6 May, 2008 by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, representatives of EU Member States and ENP partner countries. The NIF is a key instrument of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and will mobilise additional funding for infrastructure projects mainly in the energy, transport and environment sectors in the entire area of the European Neighbourhood Policy by providing grant support for lending operations of public European financial institutions.
(5 May, 2008)
Benita F. Waldner to open EC Delegations in Armenia and Azerbaijan
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner participated in the Ministerial EU Troika visit to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia on 4-6 February 2008. Together with Dimitrij Rupel, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and EU Special Representative for the Southern Caucasus, Ambassador Peter Semneby, the Commissioner held meetings at the highest level.
(1 February, 2008)
EU deepens ties with its’ neighbours and supports their reforms
In the past year, the European Union has substantially strengthened its relations with its neighbours and supported their democratic and economic reform efforts through the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
(3 April, 2008)
Delegation website: http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/azerbaijan/index_en.htm