No:563/22, Press release on the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov with the delegation led by Lawrence Meredith, Director for the Eastern Neighborhood and Institution Building of the European Commission
On December 7, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, received a delegation led by Lawrence Meredith, Director for the Eastern Neighborhood and Institution Building at the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission.
At the meeting, an exchange of views on the current cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) in various fields, especially in economic, energy, investment, transport and other fields, as well as the regional situation, took place.
Speaking about the field of energy security, which is one of the main areas of cooperation with the EU, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the importance of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Azerbaijan and the EU on July 18, 2022 in terms of cooperation to increase gas exports to the EU, as well as the development of alternative energy sources. It was noted that a positive result of our activities to increase efforts in the field of transport corridors is the increase in the volume of goods passing through Azerbaijan. It was stated that Azerbaijan, as one of the countries that pays attention to the promotion of investments, promotes investment especially in "know-how" activities. It was noted with satisfaction that the EU shows interest in making investments in the rehabilitation and reconstruction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also informed the opposite side in detail about the current situation in the region during the post-conflict period, the large-scale rehabilitation and reconstruction works carried out in the liberated territories, the provocations of Armenia that threaten the work done, as well as the threat of landmines. In this regard, it was brought to attention that Armenia's failure to fulfill its obligations arising from the Trilateral Statement dated November 10, 2020 is the main threat to peace, security and development in the region.
Lawrence Meredith said that the Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 18, 2022 is of great importance as a result of the work done to develop relations between Azerbaijan and the EU. It was noted that the initiative and activity shown in the implementation of the Middle Corridor made Azerbaijan one of the important partners in the field of transport and transit. Lawrence Meredith also emphasized that investing in the areas of economic development, medium and small entrepreneurship, alternative energy, transport and digital development in the regions is a priority for the EU. In this regard, it was stated that Azerbaijan's view supporting innovations in the mentioned fields is commendable. Lawrence Meredith emphasized the importance of cooperation and solidarity to eliminate the serious threat of landmines.
At the meeting, an exchange of views also took place on other issues of mutual interest.
