Analysis of the EU’s assistance to Azerbaijan

This Briefing Paper analyses EU assistance to Azerbaijan and its compliance with the general objectives specified in the relevant EU documents (ENP Action Plan, Country Strategy Paper, National Indicative Programme, Annual Action Programme, Progress Report and European Parliament Resolution on the South Caucasus). Special emphasis is placed on the area of human rights, rule of law, fundamental freedoms and good governance. Two other main areas of cooperation are also discussed: socio-economic reforms and reforms in the transport, energy and environment sectors. One chapter focuses on conflict resolution in Nagorno Karabakh. The briefing then develops two alternative policy options for an EU assistance strategy towards Azerbaijan and concludes with some specific recommendations.