BAKU, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan can play the role of a bridge between Europe and Asia, David McAllister, chairman of the European Parliament's committee on foreign affairs, told journalists here on Monday.
He said Azerbaijan is a very important and reliable partner to the European Parliament and it is very important to deepen cooperation with this country.
"We discussed new challenges and interests as part of talks in Baku," he said adding that it is also necessary to extend the European Parliament's support for reforms implemented in Azerbaijan.
"We highly assess the role of secular Azerbaijan in ensuring religious freedom and intercultural dialogue, and realize the significance of the country," he said.
A eight-member delegation of the European Parliament led by McAllister arrived in Azerbaijan on May 22 as part of their South Caucasus trip.
The delegation met the country's leaders and had negotiations on the new EU-Azerbaijan strategic partnership agreement, which should replace the 1996 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.
On April 22, 1996, Baku and Brussels signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which took effect on June 22, 1999 and created a framework for their political relations, as well as for bilateral trade and social and scientific cooperation between Azerbaijan and the bloc.
The new agreement envisages the compliance of Azerbaijan's legislation and procedures with the EU's trade norms and standards, which would improve Azerbaijani goods' access to the EU markets.
