Envoy: EU proud to be Azerbaijan’s largest trade partner

The European Union and Azerbaijan have held a “very productive” round of negotiations this week on a new strategic partnership agreement, EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Marijana Kujundzic said during a meeting in Ganja.

“This week we held a very productive round of negotiations between the EU and Azerbaijan on the future bilateral agreement (on strategic partnership — ed.). It is very symbolic that this successful stage of negotiations is concluding in your city,” she said at talks with Ganja’s executive head, Niyazi Bayramov.

Kujundzic noted that 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of EU-Azerbaijan relations, adding that the 1996 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement continues to serve as the legal foundation for bilateral ties, including political dialogue as well as trade and economic cooperation.

She said the EU “is proud of its status as the largest trading partner and investor of Azerbaijan” and intends to further strengthen cooperation with the country.

The ambassador also highlighted EU-backed development initiatives in Ganja.

“Thus, in 2022, the city joined the Global Covenant of Mayors initiative and also became the first pilot city in Azerbaijan within the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Green Cities programme,” she said.

Kujundzic added that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has provided a €35 million loan to modernise water supply and wastewater systems in the city. In addition, Ganja has received more than €7 million under the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership for energy efficiency projects.

“More than 80% of the existing street lighting infrastructure will be modernised,” she said.

By Tamilla Hasanova