Joint Declaration on the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership for Modernization will support political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan, EU representation in Azerbaijan told APA. “Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are key partners for the European Union in the framework of the Eastern Partnership and the Central Asia Strategy, with whom we want to deepen our relations”, said President Barroso. “We share a strong interest in the long-term security and diversification of our energy supply and demand. I will therefore make the case for the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor, which will directly bring gas from the Caspian region to European consumers. I am sure that together we will create the necessary conditions for this strategic initiative to take place.” EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso, accompanied by Commissioner for Energy GüntherOettinger, will arrive in Azerbaijan on January 13. He will leave for Turkmenistan on January 14.