4 May 2023 16:27

Azerbaijan, EU agree to continue dialogue on foreign, security policy

BAKU. May 4 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan and the European Union have agreed to continue discussing foreign and security policy matters topical for Baku, Europe and the entire region.

The agreement was reached in Brussels on Wednesday at the end of the fourth EU-Azerbaijan Security Dialogue co-chaired by EEAS Deputy Secretary General Enrique Mora and Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikment Hajiyev, the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a statement on Thursday.

"In conclusion of the meeting, the EU and Azerbaijan agreed to continue regular exchanges on foreign and security policy issues relevant for them and for the wider region," the statement said.

According to the EEAS, the sides discussed normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, regional security and the EU's role in the provision of peace and stability in the region. There was a constructive discussion of issues of mutual interest in the fields of foreign and security policy, and possible cooperation, including that in countering hybrid and cyber threats, violent extremism and terrorism, and in space exploration.

The EU noted Azerbaijan's role of a reliable energy partner.

"In our fourth EU-Azerbaijan security dialogue, the EU reconfirmed its interest in enhancing cooperation on foreign and security policy issues, and readiness to work for the benefit of peace, security and stability, especially in the current challenging international context," the statement quoted Mora as saying.