BRUSSELS AND THE LAND OF FIRE. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EU- RELATIONS

Daniel Weissenrieder

EUCACIS Online Paper

No. 7 April 2019

PhD Support Programme The EU, Central Asia and the in the International System About EUCACIS “The EU, Central Asia and the Caucasus in the International System” (EUCACIS) is a PhD Support Programme for Postgraduates and Doctoral Researchers in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus, organized by the Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP) and the Centre international de formation européenne (CIFE). Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and the programme Erasmus+, it offers scholarships for three years to excellent postgraduates who are working on a doctoral thesis in political science, contemporary history or economics on a topic related to its thematic focus at a university or academy of sciences in the Southern Caucasus or Central Asia (including Afghanistan, the Kashmir region in India and the autonomous region Xinjiang in China). It is the objective of the EUCACIS programme to provide EUCACIS.eu intensive PhD research training for its participants to bring them closer to international standards, to support them until they submit their doctoral theses, and to help them establish their own networks with other young researchers in the target regions and in Europe. This will be achieved through four international conferences, four PhD schools, two research training stays and continuous online coaching.

About IEP Since 1959, the Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP) has been active in the field of as a non-profit organisation. It is one of Germany’s leading research institutes on foreign and European policy. IEP works at the interface of academia, politics, administration, and civic education. In doing so, IEP’s task include scientific analyses of problems surrounding European politics and integration. www.iep-berlin.de

About CIFE The Centre international de formation européenne (CIFE) is a private institution of higher education and research, founded in 1954 with its head office in Nice and branch offices in Berlin, Brussels and Istanbul. It receives special funding in the framework of the Jean Monnet Programme of the . Students from all continents enroll in its programmes and work as senior officials, consultants and academic experts after graduation. www.cife.eu

About the Series EUCACIS Online Paper comprise research and policy papers on topics related to the thematic focus of the programme, written by fellows of the EUCACIS PhD Support Programme and members of the wider EUCACIS network. It aims at making the debates within the network, notably during the EUCACIS conferences and PhD schools, accessible to a wider public. The papers are available on the programme website: www.eucacis.eu About the Author Daniel Weissenrieder studies political science and human geography at the Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, Germany, and at the OKAN University in Istanbul. In 2018 he worked at the DAAD Information Centre in , at the International Cooperation Office of the State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU) Baku, and at the Institut für Europäische Politik in Berlin. He is currently doing an internship at the Center for International Peace Operations Berlin.

Editorial team

Publishers: Prof. Dr Mathias Jopp, Head of International Programmes, IEP PD Dr Matthias Waechter, Director General, CIFE

Editors: Dr Susann Heinecke, Programme Manager EUCACIS, CIFE Janny Schulz, Programme Manager EUCACIS, IEP

Layout: Fabian Weber, IEP

Place of publication: Berlin

ISSN: 2627-7204

Internet: www.eucacis.eu

Email: [email protected]

Hashtag: #EUCACIS

published in April 2019 4 EUCACIS Online Paper No. 7 - Brussels and the Land of Fire. A brief overview of the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations Abstract: 3 2 1 Sea andCentralSea Asian countries the EUandseveral littoral states oftheCaspian between project corridor an energy transport in1993, Asia (TRACECA) Europe-Caucasian, economic likethe projects Transport Corridor engagement inAzerbaijan. legitimisedand dueto itsfurther itsefforts Azerbaijan, to the firstinternational partners areas.conflict At that timetheEU was oneof technical assistance and the reconstruction of endeavours regarding and humanitarian subsequent cooperation. andsetthe frameworkAzerbaijan for the economic dimensionbetween theEUand into force in 1999. The regulated PCA the (PCA) whichwas signed in1995andcame a Partnership andCooperation Agreement the Soviet Union. The joint work beganwith Azerbaijan’s1990s after independence from to develop intheearly started Azerbaijan Brussels andtheLand ofFire. displayed to sheda lightontherelation between Caucasus intheSouth direct neighbours are countries like Russia, ChinaandAzerbaijan’s andtheEUwithother competition ofAzerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict. the Furthermore, situation, theauthoritarian trends andthe issues like corruption, the human rights relations,Azerbaijan recurring contentious This elaborates oftheEU- paper thehistory Agreement iscurrently (PCA) negotiated. being andCooperation anewPartnership backlash, Agreement withtheEUin2014andresulting After Azerbaijan’s declineoftheAssociation and fostered political andeconomic ties. cooperationon amore than25-year-old theEUbuilds Azerbaijan, Country Partnership

Part oftheEUengagement were joint The was PCA accompanied by EU In therelation to itsmostremote Eastern The relations between theEUand 2019, http://www.traceca-org.org/en/traceca . tergovernmental Commission 6, TRACECA, accessed January “Welcome to TRACECA,” Permanent- Secretariat ofIn nity (Cham: International Publishing,nity Springer 2018),200f. Caucasus.South Expanding Commuthe European- Security Licínia Simão, The EU’s Policy Neighbourhood towards the Azerbaijan%20relations eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/4013/EU- 6,2019,https://eeas.europa.(EEAS), accessed January relations,”“EU-Azerbaijan European Service Action External . 1 2 3 , aswell 9 8 7 6 5 4 of Europe (CoE). becameamemberoftheCouncilAzerbaijan into theEuropean politicalcommunity. showedAzerbaijan itsintegration potential Atlantic Partnership Council in1997. (PfP) programme in1994andtheEuro- Council in1992,thePartnership for Peace Atlantic Cooperationjoined theNorth with Western organisations. Azerbaijan to the Azerbaijan West included cooperation negotiated. signed, andissueslikevisafacilitation were sectors—werethe energy andtransport agreements andcontracts— especiallyin strengthened theirrelationship. Different close cooperation on different issues and andtheEUworked in then Azerbaijan of theEastern Partnership initiative. Since became part opened in Baku, Azerbaijan Commission Delegationto Azerbaijan region. (INOGATE) in1996,whichalsooperates inthis called Gas Transportation to Europe project as anenergy technical assistance program framework andprogrammes. greater access to theEU’s regulatory market, since then have gotten, inter alia,potentially issuesand andsecurity socio-economic work more closelywiththe EUonpolitical, ENP, countries neighbourhood likeAzerbaijan Neighbourhood PolicyNeighbourhood (ENP). was included intoAzerbaijan the European in 2004 after was sent out and shortly Special Representative for Caucasus theSouth and contractually governed. 2003,theEU In deepened intheEUwas further Azerbaijan ofthemillennium,integrationthe turn of

With thisrapprochement towards Europe, Furthermore, the rapprochement of In 2009,oneyear theEuropeanIn after . enp/330/european-neighbourhood-policy-enp_en eu/diplomatic-network/european-neighbourhood-policy- 6,2019, https://eeas.europa. (EEAS), January Service Action “European Policy Neighbourhood (ENP)”, European External EEAS, relations”.“EU-Azerbaijan Caucasus, 188. Simão, The EU’s Policy Neighbourhood towards theSouth azerbaijan. 6,2019,https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/cessed January “Azerbaijan // 47 States, oneEurope”, Council ofEurope, ac cps/en/natohq/topics_49111.htm. on (NATO), 6,2019,https://www.nato.int/ accessed January “Relations withAzerbaijan,” Atlantic North Treaty Organizati- inogate.org/pages/1?lang=en. brief,”“In INOGATE, 6,2019,http://www. accessed January 4 6 9 8 Through the Through 5 In 2001, In 7 After - EUCACIS Online Paper No. 7 - Brussels and the Land of Fire. A brief overview of the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations 5 - 18 19 http://pubdocs.worldbank. In 2017, the roughly In 2017, the roughly 16 ; . According to the World Bank, in World the to According 17 “The World Factbook,” Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Agency Intelligence (CIA), Central Factbook,” World “The Januaryaccessed - https://www.cia.gov/library/publi 6, 2019, cations/the-world-factbook/. Bank, World The (WDI)”, Indicators Development “World Januaryaccessed 6, 2019, http://databank.worldbank.org/ . data/source/world-development-indicators/preview/on# Bank, accessed World The Bank in Azerbaijan,” World “The Januaryhttps://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ 6, 2019, azerbaijan/overview#3; World The Bank in Azerbaijan Country Snapshot”, World “The Bank, Januaryaccessed 2019, 6, org/en/686361539245387201/Azerbaijan-Snapshot- Oct2018.pdf European about EU-Azerbaijan Relations,” and Figures “Facts January accessed 6, 2019, ExternalAction Service (EEAS).” https://eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/eap_factsheet_azer baijan_eng_web.pdf 138. EU Integration,” towards Policy “Azerbaijan’s Valiyev, These developments have affected EU- affected have developments These In terms of economic output, population population In output, of economic terms 2018 the economic growth will continue to to will continue growth 2018 the economic medium-term and in the slightly increase growth. record Azerbaijan to will continue ten million Azerbaijanis generated a $40.7 a $40.7 million Azerbaijanisten generated In of the 21st the beginning billion GDP. an enormous Azerbaijan recorded century, domestic In 2004, the gross growth. economic $8.6 approx. US$) was current product (GDP its in 2014, it reached later, years Ten billion. development This peak with $75.2 billion. a harsh end in 2015, when the oil came to economic and Azerbaijan’s dropped price 2016, Since significantly. decreased growth slightly recovering is economy Azerbaijan’s recorded of 0.1% was and a GDP growth in 2017. Azerbaijan relations in a considerable way. way. in a considerable Azerbaijan relations partner, main economic EU is Azerbaijan’s The its biggest export and import market and non- and the oil in investor major foreign its EU is launching the Moreover, oil sectors. supportto the EU4Business initiative the the regarding Azerbaijanigovernment climate business and investment country’s into integration Azerbaijan’s promote and to WTO. like the organisations international which are essential to elaborate in order to to order in elaborate to essential are which EU the between relationship the understand and Azerbaijan. Economy and surface, Azerbaijan is the biggest country region. in the Caucasus

16 17 18 19

. https:// There There . 11 Nevertheless, 10 - https://dgap.org/en/think-tank/publica

14 12 The divergent opinions of the of opinions divergent The 13 15 Anar Valiyev, “Azerbaijan’s Policy towards EU Integration: EU Integration: towards Policy “Azerbaijan’s Valiyev, Anar Geopoliticsin Security. and Partner,” Strategic Unrecognized Kornely Kakachia, ed. the South Caucasus, for A New Strategy (: Benjaminand Meister Fricke Stefan Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung 128. 2018), tions/further-publications/geopolitics-and-security an was rejection association of EU Gotev,”Azerbaijan’s Georgi 2016, 11, February Euractiv, eye-openerBrussels”, for www.euractiv.com/section/armenia/news/azerbaijan-s- rejection-of-eu-association-was-an-eye-opener-for-brussels Valiyev, “Azerbaijan’s Policy towards EU Integration”, 133. EU Integration”, towards Policy “Azerbaijan’s Valiyev, an eye- was rejection of EU association “Azerbaijan’s Gotev, Brussels.” opener for EEAS, “EU-Azerbaijan relations”. 2018, when this articleIn November/December written, was still ongoing. were the negotiations During the current PCA some During negotiations the current But the EU maintained its pragmatic its pragmatic But the EU maintained A stable and auspicious partnership auspicious and A stable with Azerbaijan’s rejection of the AA was a rejectionof the AA was Azerbaijan’s

were several reasons for this decision. Since this decision. Since for reasons several were the surface under years, of the increasing contentious different were there cooperation and Azerbaijan the EU issues between which still subject AA negotiation. are of current intervention the Russian in Furthermore, the EU of an AA with after its signing decision Baku’s factor also a crucial was for to signal as a warning perceived – it was the perspective of Baku, Azerbaijan. From posed a of a Russian interference the threat an benefit from risk than a potential greater AA with the EU. when other countries countries Partnership Eastern when other signed or like Ukraine, Azerbaijan (AA), Agreements Association declined this opportunity in 2014. EU and Azerbaijan affect different areas EU and Azerbaijandifferent affect contentious issues, which have influenced influenced which have issues, contentious be expected to are before the relationship discussed. approach and instead of signing an AA with of signing and instead approach an negotiate to Azerbaijan, both sides agreed which agreement, comprehensive updated, negotiations The 1999. the PCA from replaced of 2017 and the beginning launched at were still ongoing. are great potential for deeper cooperation in deeper cooperation for potential great think. might one the future, huge surprise for the EU. Until this moment, this moment, Until the EU. huge surprise for all EU that convinced were EU officials many to be eager would Neighbourhood countries an AA. sign 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 EUCACIS Online Paper No. 7 - Brussels and the Land of Fire. A brief overview of the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations 22 21 Ibid. 20 advantage innegotiations withtheEU. aware ofthispositionandusesitfor itsown isvery through andRussia.Azerbaijan Iran andnot territory leads through Azerbaijani forcorridor Caspian oil and gas to Europe that Corridor istheonlypracticable Gas Southern discourseenergy becausethe security significance inthespotlight of Europe’s energy cooperation isreceiving yet further the EUhelpedto thisgoalforward. bring and Asia. Since thebeginning oftherelations, the EU with aim the atCaucasus connecting projects,EU sponsored which transportation remainsbetween the theEUandAzerbaijan noteworthy contribution to the economic ties With this inmind, itisreasonable that themost between Europe andAsia was proclaimed. hubandbridge atransport make Azerbaijan the country’safter independence thegoal to byearly Azerbaijan’s government and soon corridors. Asian transport This was recognised at between European theintersection and geographical islocated position.Azerbaijan its fromenormously onemajorfactor: “important energy partner”. The to EUconsiders bean Azerbaijan relations. oftheEU-Azerbaijan crucial factors at Europe’s securing energy provision. aims at diversifying theenergy supplyand Eastern gastoAsian Europe andMiddle and Caspian, Central linking corridor transport (2011). Corridor isagas Gas The Southern Corridor Gas Declaration ontheSouthern Union inthefieldofEnergy (2006)andaJoint and the European of Azerbaijan Republic in aStrategic Partnership between the of Memorandum Understanding included oil andgas. ofAzerbaijani the EUisbiggestimporter supplies 5%oftheEU’s total oildemand, and Transport andEnergy This shows benefits that Azerbaijan In terms ofbusiness,In oilandgasare the This energy cooperation is based on a eu-and-south-caucasus-25-years-independence 6,2019,https://eu.boell.org/en/2016/11/25/cessed January Independence,” European Stiftung Böll Heinrich Union, ac Amanda Paul, Caucasus EU and the South 25 “The Years Since relations.” EEAS, “EU-Azerbaijan 20 The country country The . 22 21 This - 24 23 with thelatest development inAzerbaijan. process. This development goeshandin involvedactively intheimplementation On the other hand,project; the EU was not hand, TITR could bereviving the TRACECA from oftheEU. theperspective Ontheone development canbeviewed ambivalently This (TITR). Route International Transport Trans-Caspianroute—the transportation and agreed uponanewcontainer Georgia Azerbaijan, 2015, China,, Central Asian states. to improvepartners economic tieswith was madeto includeothercooperation ways to stimulate theproject. The decision led to Azerbaijan’s decisionto lookfor new oil price andtheresulting decrease ofprofits or corruption. This, aswell asthedrop ofthe like border delays andcontrols, custom offices TRACECA alsohadto face several problems programme for newcapitalinvestments. But approx. $800millionaloneinthe TRACECA Since itsadoptionin1993,theEUhasinvested Azerbaijan’s economic in2015affected crisis EU andthedecrease oftheoilprice and improving theirrelations withAzerbaijan. (OBOR), launchedby China,are interested in initiativeby andRoad Russia,andtheBelt the Eurasian Economic Union(EEU),driven Union, other regional integration like projects geographical theEuropean position.Besides in itsrelationship withtheEU. aimstohand, improve Azerbaijan itsposition hubontheother transportation important supplier for theEUononehandandan EU. energy becoming bothanimportant In double strategy regarding relations withthe between Asia andEurope. hub transport becoming themostimportant androads to achieve itsgoalof airports likerailroads, projects transportation ports, huge investments ininfrastructure and thelastten years,In has made Azerbaijan Potential were easily found. partners In Officially, Baku tends togetcloser tothe this sense, alsoprofitsIn Baku from its With pursuesa thisapproach, Azerbaijan Valiyev, “Azerbaijan’s Policy towards EUIntegration”, 140. Valiyev, “Azerbaijan’s Policy towards EUIntegration”, 138-141. 23 24

EUCACIS Online Paper No. 7 - Brussels and the Land of Fire. A brief overview of the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations 7

- 31 . . 32 http://assembly.coe.int/Communication/IBAC/IBAC- Moreover, there are police police are there Moreover, 30 The Independent investigation body Independentinvestigation The 29 GIAC-Report-EN.pdf members suspected of of Europe “Council Rankin,Jennifer April 22, 2018, Guardian, The inquirycorruption, reveals,” https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/apr/22/council-of- europe-members-suspected-of-corruption-inquiry-reveals “Report Body on the allega- of the Independent Investigation Inde Assembly,” Parliamentary the within corruption of tions of corruption allegations on the body investigation pendent January 147, accessed 6, Assembly, within the Parliamentary 2019, im Verhärtung zwischen “Aserbaidschan Halbach, Uwe 2018/A SWP-Aktuell nach außen,“ Vernetzung Inneren und 26, Mai 2018, https://www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/ aserbaidschan-zwischen-verhaertung-und-vernetzung/. Azerbaijan’s goal to increase its economic its economic increase goal to Azerbaijan’s the re-electionAfter in of the President These incidences show that corruption is not is not corruption that show incidences These Azerbaijan. Instead, solely a domestic issue for with Europe entanglements the extensive furthermake it an obstacle for EU- Azerbaijan as well. cooperation on the allegations of corruption within corruption of allegations the on in confirmed Assembly the Parliamentary of the CoE members several April 2018 that the broke (PACE) Assembly Parliamentary that and stated the CoE of of conduct’ ‘code some of that suspicion” “strong the was there “party activity to of a corruptive them were nature”. investigations, for instance in the case of the of case the in instance for investigations, Volontè Luca Italianformer deputy PACE to of takingwho is accused in bribes from Azerbaijan million. of €2.9 in the amount organisation in terms of human rights and rights human of in terms organisation reports including legitimacy, democratic election prisoners, about political monitoring, etc. and political network with other countries and political network with other countries as a legitimate and the self-promotion Halbach with what democracy contrasts of the [...] hardening “internal describes as the political system.” constitution the changes of 2018 and two has his power, consolidate to lead Azerbaijan to with an iron continued his father succeeded fist. Aliyev In 2003, who came to as President, Aliyev Heydar the against in 1993 after a coup power 31 29 Ibid. 30 32 Authoritarian leadership and the human leadership and the human Authoritarian situation rights - - - - Corruption and an Corruption The The think-tank 26 28 Otherwise, Azerbaijan turn may 27 25 Valiyev, “Azerbaijan’s Policy towards EU Integration”, 141ff. EU Integration”, towards Policy “Azerbaijan’s Valiyev, Internatio Transparency Index 2017,” Perception “Corruption nal, accessed January accessed nal, 6, 2019, https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_per . ceptions_index_2017 Crime and Corrup “Organized “The , January accessed 6, 2019, tion Reporting (OCCRP), Project . https://www.occrp.org/en/azerbaijanilaundromat/ Azerbaijan the Council How silenced . “Caviar Stability (2012), ac Initiative European of Europe,” Januarycessed 6, 2019, https://www.esiweb.org/index. . php?lang=en&id=156&document_ID=131 Azerbaijan faces several domestic Azerbaijan several faces EU engagement in terms of economic economic of terms in engagement EU For the European public, the corruption corruption the public, European the For problems. Systematic and institutionalised and Systematic problems. ones. the substantial is one of corruption Azerbaijan ranks International Transparency Index 2017 on Perceptions on its Corruption position 122 out of 180. towards other regional integration projects. projects. integration regional other towards to assume be over-simplified it would Still, its increase the EU should simply that other are There in Azerbaijan.engagement in domestic issues, foremost developments, divergent which the EU and Azerbaijan have a deeper obstacles for and which are opinions, cooperation. Corruption European Stability Initiative published how Stability published how Initiative European Azerbaijan had lobbied and bribed officials with the goal (CoE) of Europe of the Council the from a good attestation of receiving assistance supporting the country’s efforts supportingassistance the country’s could economy diversified a more towards be an opportunity position the strengthen to of the EU. this trend. Azerbaijan its business opened trend. this its economic market revive tried and to yet has no final decision But so far, activity. been taken. issue became apparent due to the “caviar “caviar the due to issue became apparent incident. diplomacy” international operation, launderingmoney operation, international in companies offshore which included four Kingdom of $2.9 the United and an amount “TheAzerbaijani title the to led even billion Global Anti- the from Laundromat” these ConsortiumCorruption who uncovered grievances. 25 26 27 28 8 EUCACIS Online Paper No. 7 - Brussels and the Land of Fire. A brief overview of the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations 37 36 35 34 33 Ibid. through thestate media. camp faces marginalisation andrepression of thegovernment andthesplitopposition 2014, theEuropean Parliament adopted a institutions were forced September In to act. in terms ofhuman rights, European andEU democratic structures. grievances undertheguiseofformal rule and socio-economic authoritarian democratisation process, theEUisaccepting They argue that instead of fostering a real EU through energy andtrade interests. governmentthe Azeri of manipulating the organisationand civilsociety are accusing motivated charges. around 150peopleare onpolitically inprison is increasingprisoners since years. Currently rights defenders thenumberofpolitical arrested. According human to Azerbaijani independent andbloggersget journalists and an increasingauthorities number of facescommunity repression andabusefrom and websites blocked. are partly The LGBTI+ already undercontrol ofthegovernment, oris media hasto dealwithrestrictions politicalprosecution. through arbitrary The of restrictive regulations andshutdowns organisations can’t work properly because institutions were notableto hinderthem. regimeauthoritarian and otherpoliticalactors president. hiswife vice- Aliyev Mehriban Ilham making of thefamilyclan,whichwas lastapparent in continuously to strengthen thepower base former president. The Aliyevs had worked election. 1993, there hasnotbeenasinglecompetitive Since theAliyev regime cameto power in Nevertheless, duetoNevertheless, thedevelopments humanrights activists Several Azerbaijani Non-governmental and human rights On Azerbaijan’s way towards apatrimonial Caucasus, 205. Simão, The EU’s Policy Neighbourhood towards theSouth asia/azerbaijan/report-azerbaijan/ https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central- 6,2019, nal, accessed January “Annual 2017/2018,” Azerbaijan Report: Internatio Amnesty und Vernetzung nachaußen“. Halbach, “Aserbaidschan zwischen Verhärtung imInneren jan silenced theCouncil ofEurope”. European Initiative, Stability “.- How Azerbai 34 isunderfullcontrolThe judiciary 36 37 35 33 -

41 40 39 38 policy. aimsto Baku changetheoutcomes topic inforeignproclaimed mostimportant the humanrightsituation inAzerbaijan. from acool down EU’s after of criticism this time, relations theEU-Azerbaijan suffered interference innational matters. theaccusations orsimply rejects , as andlobbying theories of as conspiracy declaresoften from thecriticism Europe from theorganisation. general, In Azerbaijan ratio could lead to a procedure of exclusion infringement proceeding, whichultima that itwas goingto openanunprecedented announcedof Ministers on5December 2017 Human rightsyet again. The CoE Committee accept decisions from theEuropean of Court washad to whenBaku notwillingto react in2012— rights resolution onAzerbaijan controversialand avery ofahuman rejection was for criticised thecorruption incidents motivated arrests were demanded. politically andnofurther political prisoners the humanrightssituation, therelease ofthe Concretein Azerbaijan. measures to improve resolution onthepersecutionof human right Karabakh conflict. Karabakh Nagorno Karabakh

Even theCouncil ofEurope (CoE)—which Another controversial issueistheNagorno- conflict/nagorno-karabakh-conflict https://www.cfr.org/interactive/global-conflict-tracker/ 6,2019, January Conflict”,“Nagorno-Karabkh Global Conflict Tracker, accessed risk holdsahigh theconflict for escalation.Nevertheless, frombeen negotiation and mediation different efforts sides. violations accompanied by hundreds ofdeaths. There have and theceasefire isthreatened by anincreasing number of countries. remains a frozen conflict The Nagorno-Karabakh 1994, a ceasefireIn was brokeredtwo by Russiabetween the occupied 20percent territory. ofthesurrounding Azerbaijani secured 1993, Armenia thecontrolIn oftheregion analso to 30,000 casualties andhundreds of thousands ofrefugees. resulted inawar betweenandAzerbaijan. Armenia This led Soviet Union,theregion declared itsindependence which thedissolutionof 1991,after In ethnically Armenian. butwithapopulation with95percentof Azerbaijan of anautonomous region within the territory Karabakh, and areArmenia about Nagorno- Azerbaijan in conflict dence,” 8. Paul, Caucasus EUandtheSouth 25 “The Years- Since Indepen und Vernetzung nachaußen“. Halbach, “Aserbaidschan zwischen Verhärtung imInneren &reference=P8-TA-2014-0022. europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN , 6, 2019, accessed January the persecutionofhumanrightsdefenders inAzerbaijan,” “European Parliament resolution of18September2014on 41 It isAzerbaijan’s It self- . 39 38 However, http://www. 40

EUCACIS Online Paper No. 7 - Brussels and the Land of Fire. A brief overview of the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations 9 48 Valiyev, “Azerbaijan’s Policy towards EU Integration,” 148f. EU Integration,” towards Policy “Azerbaijan’s Valiyev, Even though Azerbaijan and the EU share Even Apartthe of problems domestic from Conclusion Conclusion important and are business interests common contentious several partners, are there The issues in the EU-Azerbaijan relations. Azerbaijan between links economic the and the new due to foster expected to EU are whether PCA. But the question remains of a common will be made in terms progress authoritarian corruption, regarding approach the Nagorno human rights, leadership, Karabakh if Even conflict and other issues. to these questions, the PCA will find answers Turkey like Russia, China, Iran and other states still factors of the EU-Azerbaijanare relations It remains considered. be which need to extend what the PCA bringsbe seen to to the EU and between the relationship forward the Azerbaijanfoster only not will it if and affect the human ties but positively economic in and the living conditions rights situation Azerbaijan as well. EU, the relationship between the EU and the EU and between relationship the EU, indirect an have also Turkey like other states impact because on EU-Azerbaijan relations for model a role were EU negotiations Turkeys the between the dispute Azerbaijan. Likewise, in the influence Moscow’s EU and Russia and relations. the EU-Azerbaijan affect Caucasus 48

42 46 Furthermore, Furthermore, 44 This inconsistent stance, stance, inconsistent This 45 47 43 Simão, The EU’s Neighbourhood Policy towards the South towards Neighbourhood Policy EU’s The Simão, 189. Caucasus, 136. EU Integration,” towards Policy “Azerbaijan’s Valiyev, the South towards Neighbourhood Policy EU’s The Simão, 201f. Caucasus, Indepen Since - Years “The 25 EU and the South Caucasus Paul, dence”. 129; EU Integration,” towards Policy “Azerbaijan’s Valiyev, the South towards Neighbourhood Policy “The EU’s Simão, Years “The 25 EU and the South Caucasus 202; Paul, Caucasus,” Independence”. Since 132f. EU Integration,” towards Policy “Azerbaijan’s Valiyev, There are other reasons why Azerbaijan why other reasons are There In this regard, the EU fails to adopt a the EU fails to In this regard, especially in the light of the latest actions of the latest of in the light especially activelyRussia, which is forward bringing Moscow of the region. the militarisation with Armenia militaryestablished a joint force both Azerbaijan to and and is selling weapons an armament Armenia, which is promoting fragile already the and threatening race ceasefire. is concerned about the EU. Becausethe of about the EU. is concerned other towards scepticism EU´s increasing Moldova Georgia, neighbours like , their cooperation, or Ukraine regarding relation Azerbaijan about its future is unsure Baku is uncertain whether the EU with the EU. instead on member countries more will focus and whether of neighbourhood countries with its internal cope the EU will be able to only is Brexit The challenges in the future. Britain is a huge supporterone example. of from Azerbaijan its withdrawal and through of lose a proponent to Baku fears the EU, projects. many Further obstacles Further of the war with Armenia and wants to regain regain to with Armeniawants and war of the The the region. over integrity full territorial has this matter in approach reluctant EU’s in Azerbaijan, displeasure repeated led to consistent approach. The EU has restrained EU has restrained The approach. consistent territorial openly support to Azerbaijan’s cases of Georgia, in the it did like integrity, and Ukraine. Moldova which different scholars describe as a “double scholars describe as a which different effect on has a negative approach, standard” the EU-Azerbaijan relationship. from Azerbaijan’s point of view, Europe’s Europe’s view, of point Azerbaijan’s from mainly on human rights rhetoric focuses the Nagorno-and democracy and excludes Karabakh issue. 42 43 44 45 46 47 10 EUCACIS Online Paper No. 7 - Brussels and the Land of Fire. A brief overview of the development of the EU-Azerbaijan relations Sources: • • • • • • • • • azerbaijan/. europe-and-central-asia/azerbaijan/report- 2019. 2017/2018.”Azerbaijan 6, Accessed January International.Amnesty “Annual Report: Azerbaijan%20relations headquarters-homepage_en/4013/EU- tracker/conflict/nagorno-karabakh-conflict www.cfr.org/interactive/global-conflict- Conflict.” 6,2019.https:// Accessed January Conflict Tracker. “Nagorno-Karabkh Global TA-2014-0022. ?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8- www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do Azerbaijan.” 6,2019.http:// Accessed January persecution ofhumanrights defenders in resolution of18September 2014 onthe European Parliament. “European Parliament factsheet_azerbaijan_eng_web.pdf eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/eap_ Relations.” 6,2019.https:// Accessed January ”Facts andFigures aboutEU-Azerbaijan (EEAS). 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