OBJECTIVE: conclusion of a partnership and cooperation agreement between the Community and
its Member States and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
SUBSTANCE: this is a mixed agreement covering areas for which both the Community and the
Member States are competent. It is concluded for an initial period of ten years and comprises the
following elements:
. establishment of a political dialogue;
. provisions covering trade in goods, labour conditions, establishment and operation of companies,
cross-border supply of services, payments and capital, competition, intellectual, industrial and
commercial property protection, legislative cooperation, economic cooperation, respect for
democracy and human rights, cooperation in combating illegal activities and illegal immigration,
cultural cooperation and financial cooperation;
. human rights conditionality clause, allowing the agreement to be suspended, even unilaterally, in
the event of violation of the agreement's essential elements such as respect for democratic principles,
human rights and the principles of the market economy.
. The agreement creates an institutional framework comprising a Cooperation Council, a Cooperation
Committee and a Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.
. The provisions concerning customs cooperation are covered by a separate protocol.
. Finally, where trade relations between Azerbaijan and the Community are concerned, the
agreement will replace the 1989 agreement on trade and commercial and economic cooperation
between the Community and the USSR.
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