European Commission President: Human rights and political reforms are basis of EU-Azerbaijan relations

Human rights and political reforms are the basis of the EU-Azerbaijan relations, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, who is on visit to Azerbaijan, told journalists today in Baku.

Barroso welcomed the recent release of two young activists - Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade from prison.

Ensuring human rights and political reforms are important, as they are the guarantee of political stability in the country, Barroso said.

According to Barroso, reforming the EU structure - the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the creation of post of the EU President and EU High Representative and the European External Action Service (EEAS) - has created favorable conditions for the coordination of foreign policy courses of all 27 EU countries.

Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli were arrested on July 8, 2009 after an incident in a restaurant in Baku. They were accused in hooliganism. Milli was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison and Hajizade to two years in prison. In November 2010 the young men were released.


(2011-1-14/trend)