The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)

The recommendation of the European Commission on the inclusion of the South Caucasus countries to the ENP was adopted in a meeting of the heads of European Union governments in 2004. The central element of the ENP is the Action Plans agreed between the EU and each partner country, which sets out a number of short- and medium-term priorities. These documents, which were designed for a period of 3-5 years, were prepared taking into account the needs and capabilities of each country, as well as mutual values and interests.
Following the accession of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the ENP, the Republic of Azerbaijan-EU Action Plan was adopted at a meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council in Brussels on November 14, 2006. Thus, the directions for the further development of Azerbaijan-EU relations, which were previously regulated by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, now belong to this Action Plan within the ENP.
10 priority directions were determined in the Action Plan:
1)    A peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
2)    Strengthening of democracy
3)    Rule of law and strengthening protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms
4)    Improving business and investment climate
5)    Improving customs service
6)    Support balanced and sustained economic development
7)    Further convergence of economic legislation and administrative practices
8)    Strengthening of EU-Azerbaijan energy and transport cooperation
9)    Enhancement of cooperation in the field of justice, freedom and security, including in the field of border management
10)    Strengthening regional cooperation