Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Azerbaijan is interested in exchange of experience and development of mutual cooperation with Israel's customs, chairman of Azerbaijan State Customs Committee (SCC), Lieutenant-General Aydin Aliyev said on Sept.9.

"In this regard, the agreements signed in 2012 between the customs agencies of the two countries gave new impetus to development of bilateral relations and accelerated the integration of the parties," Aliyev said during a meeting with Deputy Director of customs checkpoint of Israeli Customs Directorate Abraham Hadad and experts Alon Trassa, Omar Dinura and Gala Orpaz.

The Azerbaijani side expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations expressing hope for their further development.

Hadad, in turn, praised the current level of relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, including in the customs area, and stressed the importance of intensification of cooperation between the two countries' customs agencies.

During the meeting the parties also exchanged views on large spectrum of issues of mutual interest.

Israel recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on December 25, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on April 6, 1992.

In 2012, the trade turnover between the two countries was $4 billion.

Azerbaijan plans to sign an agreement with Israel on canceling double taxation and cooperation in the agriculture sector, and an agreement on simplification of the visa regime for persons with diplomatic and service passports.

Azerbaijan and Israel are focusing on many areas, and the four areas that will be relevant are telecommunications, agriculture, water supply and medical technologies.

Israel recently discovered gas fields onshore and intends to use the experience of Azerbaijan in this regard. Israel is also willing to assist Azerbaijan in the diversification of its economy.

According to the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, about 42,000 Jews live in the South Caucasus republic.