European Unions influence on democratization process in Azerbaijan

The main aim of this study is to investigate the role and contribution of European Union in the democratization process of Azerbaijan Republic. Since its establishment, the EU has pursued a strict policy in areas such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, fundamental rights and freedoms, political and administrative issues. With the waves of enlargement, the Union, which includes almost all of Europe within its borders, has never compromised the values determined by itself and has set criteria for getting into the union. Relations with EU member, candidate and potential candidate countries, as well as countries that are not likely to nominate their own values, it has always followed the policy to spread their values. After gaining its independence in 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan has always paid heed to bilateral relations with Europe in order to maintain its independence. In this thesis, the EU - Azerbaijan relations from 1991 to 2008, the way the EU has drawn in the democratization process of Azerbaijan, the phases it has gone through, and the tools in bilateral relations have been investigated. In addition, the impact of the EU Action Plan on the democratization process of Azerbaijan has been examined. Keywords: European Union, Azerbaijan, European Neighbourhood Policy, Democracy