President Ilham Aliyev will pay a working visit to Brussels next week upon official invitation of President of the European Council Donald Tusk. During the visit President will meet President of the European Council, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, the EU High Representative on foreign affairs and security policy, Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini and Vice –President of the European Commission for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič. In the framework of Azerbaijan-Belgium bilateral relations meeting of President Aliyev with His Majesty Philippe the King of Belgians will take place.
During the meetings wide-range issues in partnership and cooperation agenda will be discussed. The visit will formally kick off negotiations on a new strategically oriented comprehensive bilateral agreement which was developed on the basis of a draft document introduced by Azerbaijan to the EU in 2015. The new agreement will upgrade existing partnership tailored to the needs and expectations of both parties.
“President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Brussels will be a milestone event in Azerbaijan-EU relations. It will focus on broader context of existing relations with the aim of exploring ways and means of better responding to global and regional challenges. Azerbaijan sees unity, solidarity and security as main pillars of the EU’s strength in the neighborhood in line with key principles enshrined in the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy. In this regard, Azerbaijan stands ready to contribute to reaching these overarching objectives and the visit of President of Azerbaijan will definitely push this spirit ahead in our future partnership with the EU. We hope that these perspectives will be shared and reciprocated by our partners in the EU” commented Fuad Isgandarov, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the EU.
Brussels, 3rd Feb. 2017
