EUVP visit story - Emin Abbasov

Are you considering applying for a EUVP visit? Ever wondered how EUVP programmes are organised and what their outcomes are? Follow the “EUVP visit stories”, featuring unique reports and testimonials from those who have joined us at the heart of the EU!

Today, we take a look back at the EUVP programme of Mr Emin Abbasov from Azerbaijan, who visited the European Institutions in 2017. 

Mr Abbasov is a human rights lawyer specialised in strategic litigations, legal research and legal capacity building. Over the past 7 years, he has worked as a legal expert on different local Azerbaijani and international law reform projects implemented by various actors such as the EU, the OSCE, the UN and national administrations. 

Thanks to his impressive profile, Mr Abbasov was an ideal candidate for an EUVP visit, which helped to support his future career development. His 5-day, tailor-made EUVP programme made it possible to exchange views with various EU interlocutors on issues related not only to EU-Azerbaijan relations, democracy, rule of law and human rights, but also to social and economic challenges. 

Since 2015, he has worked as a national legal consultant and trainer in a number of Council of Europe programmes and EU projects. Mr Abbasov was in charge of training lawyers within the framework of the project of Eastern Partnership Programmatic Co-operation Framework, the Council of Europe and EU’s Joint Programme on the Application of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in Azerbaijan. 

Mr Abbasov’s programme featured discussions with representatives from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) as well as with Members of the European Parliament.

According to his own testimony, the EUVP meetings contributed to gaining a better understanding of the EU’s functioning and, ultimately, its real potential. In his own words, the programme inspired him on many occasions to continue his work as a human rights lawyer, especially by participating in several EU programmes and projects.

Since his visit, Mr Abbasov has continued to keep in contact with the EU Delegation in Azerbaijan on issues related to EU-Azerbaijan relations, as well as with his fellow EUVP participants. In 2021, he co-founded the non-profit organisation Independent Lawyers Network, which aims to strengthen the role of lawyers to protect human rights and freedoms effectively.

The EUVP team would like to thank all the interlocutors, the EU Delegation in Baku and Mr Abbasov for their dedication, efficient cooperation and for making this fruitful visit possible. We are proud to have Mr Abbasov among our Alumni and we are looking forward to further cooperation on our soon-to-be opened EUVP Alumni Platform.