On 8 July, the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi visited Azerbaijan where he met with the Head of the country’s Presidential Administration Samir Nuriyev and the Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev.

Varhelyi came to Azerbaijan to present the new EU aid plan for the Eastern Partnership countries (Caucasus Watch reported). The parties discussed strategic issues and the energy partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan. “We also talked about the next stages of the cooperation, discussed cooperation on green energy, alternative energy field. Finally, we also discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh post-conflict plan and post-conflict ideas. I am glad that the Azerbaijani side is also interested in cooperating with us. The EU's experience in agriculture can be used in Azerbaijan and it may be very useful,” Varhelyi was quoted saying.  

The EU Commissioner also underlined that “Azerbaijan is the strongest and most developed state in the region and it is emerging from the pandemic with small losses. But the future of Azerbaijan also depends on the fate of other states in the region. “Our proposals cover attracting investors from Europe and expanding trade ties,” Varhelyi further noted. He also emphasised that there was “a lack of coordination” amongst the South Caucasus countries and thus trade and investment in the region was restricted. “By providing coordination, we can connect the Caspian Sea with the Black Sea and Europe via trade routes passing through Azerbaijan,” he added. 

Referring to the post-conflict situation, he said that the EU offers its services to all countries to achieve long-term peace in the region. “We welcome the issuance of prisoners and mine maps through the mediation of Georgia and express our gratitude to the Prime Minister of Georgia. These are the first steps, and they are fundamental for long-term peace in the region,” said the Commissioner. Varhelyi expressed satisfaction with the results of his visit to Baku. According to him, it was possible to achieve a "new beginning" in the relationship between the EU and Azerbaijan.