EU CONSIDERS AZERBAIJAN ONE OF ITS CLOSEST PARTNERS, ALAN WADDAMS

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
April 15, 2008 Tuesday

The European Union (EU) considers Azerbaijan as one of its closest
partners. Europe attaches more importance to Azerbaijan for its
distinctive geographic position, said EU special envoy to Azerbaijan,
Alan Waddams.

He stressed Europe is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan
not only in energy, but other spheres, too, adding that Azerbaijan
achieved a lot of successes in the implementation of the European
Neighborhood Policy.

Mr. Waddams highly valued the reforms carried out in economic
development and energy sphere in Azerbaijan.

He said Azerbaijan-EU cooperation is a door for the countrys
integration into Europe.

Speaking of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,
the Ambassador stressed that EU supports Azerbaijans territorial
integrity, and the OSCE Minsk Groups mediation mission to achieve
peaceful settlement of the conflict.

If the sides achieve the resolution of the conflict, EU will render
assistance to rehabilitation process in Azerbaijan said the Ambassador.

The Ambassador assessed the adoption of the resolution called the
situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in the UN General
Assembly as a victory of Azerbaijan.

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs voted against the resolution. But EU
members maintained neutrality. The Organization is more actively
making efforts to achieve the resolution of the conflict peacefully.

He noted Europe also attaches great importance to Azerbaijan as a
transit country.

According to him, expansion of the cooperation with Azerbaijan in
agriculture, customs, statistics, municipality and other spheres is
planned for future.

And Justice Reform Project to be carried out next year aims to bring
Azerbaijans legislation in line with the legislation of Europe.