| Abstract [eng] |
Azerbaijan is the largest and wealthiest country in the South Caucasus. It has vast natural resources in the form of oil and gas and is a transit hub for exports to Europe. However, its geopolitical situation is vulnerable as it is surrounded by three powerful regional actors: Russia, Turkey and Iran. The study describes the influence of socio-cultural factors on the EU-Azerbaijan partnership. EU-Azerbaijan partnership indeed has been improved and influenced by several political, economic agreements since it started. One of the foreign policy priorities of Azerbaijan is cooperation with the European Union. Strategic location of Azerbaijan at the crossroads of Europe and Asia explains strong interest of the European Union member-states in developing political and economic relations with Azerbaijan. The aim of the research is to describe the development of the partnership between the European Union and Azerbaijan, considering the influence of socio-cultural factors on the EU-Azerbaijan relationship and accomplish the secondary data analysis in order to figure out the key integration areas as well as future perspectives of the EU and Azerbaijan cooperation. Research tasks: - To investigate the Eastern enlargement strategy of the EU and the position of Azerbaijan within the group - To clarify the EU’s interest in Azerbaijan and key components of partnership - To analyze socio-cultural factors, influencing the development of the EU-Azerbaijan partnership - To compare the EU and Azerbaijan specific socio-cultural variables in order to identify the key reform areas for further development of partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan. Research object: International relations of EU and Azerbaijan. Research subject is Partnership of Azerbaijan with the European Union: Influence of sociocultural factors on relations. The research is divided into three chapters. The first chapter describes the causes and understanding of the globalization and regional integration which paved the way for the new regional integration model – the European Union – as well as the idea of how the EU started the enlargement. This part is primarily dedicated to theoretical analysis of enlargement and establishment of partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan. The second chapter contains the secondary data analysis of social and cultural values which in modern world politics play the crucial role. The third chapter explains the results of the research and overviews the constraints of different factors in the further development of the EU-Azerbaijan partnership. Multiple cooperation agreements, concluded and ongoing economic, socio-cultural, environmental, institutional projects of the EU with Azerbaijan are remarkable endeavors by two sides. Although it requires comprehensive and persistent development efforts in the areas, such as democracy, public administration and affairs, economy etc. from the government of Azerbaijan sometimes country is not able to implement all these reforms at once. However, in terms of culture and sports, the country is carrying out continuous events and projects to intensify integration process. In this chapter emerged understanding shows that democracy and human rights, fundamental values are important to be reformed for shaping future closer relationship between the EU and Azerbaijan. Taking into account that the EU’s efforts to assist Azerbaijan in the area of building good governance still lacks behind other changes, reformation of democratic governance, support for civil society organizations, development of human rights are the main key areas to be developed in the further EU – Azerbaijan relationships. |
