As both domestic and international framework conditions have evolved since the start of EU-Azerbaijan relations – not the least the EU has been transformed from an economy centred European Community to a more politically oriented European Union – the EU is currently in exploratory discussions with the Government of Azerbaijan on a new contractual framework that in our view could replace the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1996 and that would reflect the strategic nature of our relations in different fields. Overall the EU looks forward to develop our relationship with Azerbaijan for the next 25 years.