Afghanistan to gain from regional transport, energy projects
By Laman Ismayilova
Afghanistan, in the long term, will be able to take advantage of the large-scale transport and energy projects, which are being carried out in the region on Azerbaijan’s initiative and participation, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said.
Mammadyarov made a statement at the meeting with his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani within the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Mammadyarov stressed the high level of developing the political cooperation between the two countries.
The Azerbaijani foreign minister also emphasized the need for the development of relations in trade-economic and investment spheres.
Both foreign ministers also discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation, the fight against terrorism.
Rabbani highly appreciated Azerbaijan's support for Afghanistan on a bilateral and multilateral basis.
The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan amounted to $23.47 million in January-June 2016, which entirely accounted for the export of Azerbaijani goods to Afghanistan, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee.
Azerbaijan is among the eight partner countries that have confirmed their presence in Afghanistan after 2014.
Azerbaijan has decided to broaden its activities in Afghanistan's non-military areas. Real cooperation began with Afghan specialists' training in mine sweeping.
The two countries have maintained good relations for quite a long time. Also, Azerbaijan has Afghanistan’s support in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as it repeatedly defended the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Such tight bonds can be explained by the common religion which links the two brotherly countries. Geography has of course played an important role in bringing the two nations together.
Azerbaijan, with its great experience in the oil sector has attracted Afghanistan’s economy. Also, Afghanistan is interested in the electricity production via natural gas, the mining sector and petroleum.
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