EU relations with Azerbaijan are based on the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (in force since 1999), which has focused on boosting trade and investment, and enhancing economic, legislative, and cultural cooperation. Moving forward, a comprehensive new agreement, for which negotiations were launched in February 2017, will create the framework for even stronger cooperation. The European Union is the biggest trade partner of Azerbaijan (covering over 50% of Azerbaijan's trade) and is also the biggest investor in the country (with nearly €7 billion of direct investment). The EU is the largest foreign grant donor to both government and civil society in Azerbaijan. Cooperation with the EU has generally focused on the diversification of the country’s economy, institutional and regulatory reform, and education, in line with EU standards and best practices. The EU has also been instrumental in supporting and strengthening good governance and the country's democratic institutions, social inclusion and the rule of law.