Vilnius Summit participants welcome progress made in negotiations on Association Agreement between EU and Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Sabina Ahmadova - Trend: The participants of the Vilnius Summit welcome the progress made in the negotiations on an Association Agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan, the Joint Declaration of the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit said on Nov. 29. The declaration said that the EU stands ready to launch negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), as part of an Association Agreement, following Azerbaijan's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The participants of the Vilnius Summit welcomed the signature of the Visa Facilitation Agreement today with Azerbaijan and look forward to the imminent signature of the Readmission Agreement. The summit participants also welcomed the progress made with a view to concluding the Mobility Partnership with the Republic of Azerbaijan. The declaration also said that the summit participants welcome the launching of negotiations of a Common Aviation Area Agreement with Azerbaijan. They also underscored that they look forward to next steps in negotiations with Azerbaijan in the sphere of aviation. The summit participants acknowledged the key developments towards the opening of the Southern Gas Corridor, including the planned modernisation of the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the development of other gas transport infrastructures directly linking the Caspian Region with the EU. They noted Azerbaijan's strategic role in diversifying Europe's energy supplies. The 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit participants noted the steps towards the preparation of the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania interconnector (AGRI LNG) project. They said that they look forward to the signature of the Protocols enabling Azerbaijan's and Georgia's participation in EU programmes.