Deputy FM: Talks on new Azerbaijan-EU agreement may last until late 2018

The negotiations on the new Azerbaijan-EU agreement may last until the end of 2018, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev told reporters in Baku Dec. 12.

The negotiations on the new Azerbaijan-EU agreement may last until the end of 2018, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev told reporters in Baku Dec. 12.

He said there is progress in negotiations.

"A video conference will be held on December 15," he said. "Energy, ecology and other spheres will be discussed. The remaining issues may be discussed in January and February 2018. I think that the negotiations on the new agreement will complete by late 2018."

The European Council adopted a mandate for the European Commission and the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy to negotiate, on behalf of the EU and its member states, a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan in November 2016.

The new agreement should replace the 1996 partnership and cooperation agreement and should better take account of the shared objectives and challenges the EU and Azerbaijan face today.

The agreement will follow the principles endorsed in the 2015 review of the European Neighborhood Policy and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.