EU says new Azerbaijan partnership agenda coming next year

The European Commission says it expects to adopt new Partnership Priorities with Azerbaijan next year, signalling readiness to update bilateral cooperation and resume talks on a new agreement.

The European Commission told Report that the EU is looking forward to adopting new Partnership Priorities with Azerbaijan during the coming year, noting that a future bilateral agreement also remains on the table. Brussels said both documents are intended to refresh cooperation and elevate the partnership.

In contrast, the EC highlighted that the Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership is already agreed and adopted by the EU Council, after bilateral negotiation since 2024. However, the Commission declined to comment on the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s criticism that provisions “targeting Azerbaijan” in the EU-Armenia document are unacceptable and harmful to Baku-Brussels relations.

Responding to questions on connectivity, the Commission gave no clear position regarding the Middle Corridor or the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, saying details on TRIPP still need to be clarified. Brussels said the EU stands ready to support practical steps on agreements tied to regional transport infrastructure. A wider Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda is also being advanced to improve trade links and resilience, with the EU expressing readiness to back both Azerbaijan and Armenia on hard and soft connectivity in pursuit of full normalisation.

Brussels stressed that it recognises the Washington Peace Summit as a historic breakthrough and intends to continue its engagement with both sides to sustain progress. The Commission said it remains in contact with Baku and Yerevan over how best to assist implementation of agreements reached on 8 August.

On the clause requiring implementation of international court decisions within the EU-Armenia Strategic Agenda, officials said the reference does not seek new claims but concerns previously adopted rulings applicable to both parties.

Report notes that a bilateral EU-Armenia document cannot prescribe obligations for a third party, and Brussels could not explain why the document remains unpublished nearly a month after its signing. Sources told Report that Armenia released the text prematurely while later seeking adjustments, and that the final version will only appear in the EU Official Journal once completely agreed.

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