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Azerbaijan - Foreign Relations - Europe

Integration to the Euro-Atlantic political, security and economic institutes is one of Azerbaijan’s main foreign policy priorities. In May 1994 former President Heydar Aliev signed the NATO 'Partnership for Peace' (PfP) Framework Document at a formal meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC). In July 2004 Azerbaijan presented its Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) which forms the basis of Azerbaijan’s future co-operation with NATO.

The Government of Azerbaijan's policy toward NATO can be most accurately described as one of intentional ambiguity. Government of Azerbaijan statements on Azerbaijan's relations with NATO tend to focus on movement toward and integration with the alliance organization, but Azerbaijan's intended end goal seems to be deliberately vague -- and often contradictory -- in public statements. In a typical example, Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Eyyubov told the press on 20 November 2007 that Azerbaijan "plans to join the alliance." Eyyubov's statement was then flatly contradicted by Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev who, in widely reported remarks at the CIS Defense Ministers, conference, on 27 November 2007 said that Azerbaijan has "no intention" to join NATO.

Azerbaijan, together with Armenia, has been a member of the Council of Europe since January 2001. Upon accession both Armenia and Azerbaijan committed themselves to use only peaceful means to find a resolution over N-K. However, Defence spending in both countries, particularly Azerbaijan, has increased significantly their accession.

A Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and Azerbaijan was signed in April 1996 and ratified by the UK in April 1998. The PCA governs political, economic and trade relations between the parties and lay the basis for social, financial, scientific, technological and cultural co-operation between them. The then Presidents of Georgia, Armenia and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan met with EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg in June 1999 to mark the entry into force of the PCAs on 1 July 1999. The first co-operation council meeting between the EU and Azerbaijan took place in October 1999.

The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) sets ambitious objectives for partnership with countries neighbouring the EU’s borders. These objectives are based on strong commitments to shared values and political, economic and institutional reforms. Partner countries are invited to enter into closer political, economic and cultural relations with the EU, to enhance cross border co-operation and to share responsibility in conflict prevention and resolution. The Union offers the prospect of a stake in its Internal Market and of further economic integration. The speed and intensity of this process will depend on the will and capability of each partner country to engage in this broad agenda. The policy builds upon the existing framework of co-operation.

In June 2004 the ENP was extended to Azerbaijan. The European Commission completed a Country Report on Azerbaijan in March 2005. This is the first step in developing ENP and is a detailed assessment of bilateral relations between the EU and Azerbaijan. It also reflects progress under the Partnership and Co-operation Agreements (PCA) and describes the political, social and economic situation in Azerbaijan. During 2006 the Commission, in close co-operation with the Presidency, Member States, and the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, held exploratory talks with Azerbaijan which resulted in agreement on an Action Plan, which was adopted on 14 November 2006 at the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The Plan covers a timeframe of five years. Its implementation will help fulfil the provisions in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The Plan is a broad tool for economic and political co-operation, carrying to a further stage the commitments and objectives contained in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

As of 2014 the EU and Azerbaijan were negotiating an Association Agreement to succeed the PCA. This Association Agreement will significantly deepen Azerbaijan’s political association and economic integration with the EU. The main challenges for the government are to further strengthen democratic structures and improve the respect of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, including in the media sector. All these challenges were taken up in the ENP Action Plan for the country.

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle participated in the Cooperation Council between Azerbaijan and the European Union in Brussels 09 December 2013. "There is still a lot to be done in areas such as freedom of the media, freedom of assembly, freedom of association. It is equally important to bring electoral legislation in line with the recommendations of the OSCE/ ODIHR. This needs to happen soon so that Azerbaijan can deliver fair and transparent municipal elections next year and parliamentary elections in 2015. There is also important work to be done to address corruption."