Baku offers Vientiane to join North-South transport corridor
By Sara Israfilbayova
Azerbaijan has offered Laos to join the North-South Transport Corridor to enter the European markets.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who is currently in Laos on an official visit, has voiced this proposal during a meeting with President Bounnhang Vorachith.
The sides discussed cooperation between the two countries in such fields as agriculture, energy and tourism, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry reported on September 15.
The FM informed Bounnhang Vorachith about major regional projects implemented with participation of Azerbaijan and the situation regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.
Mammadyarov pointed out the importance of holding political consultations, expanding legal basis between the two countries, and noted that a memorandum of understanding and cooperation will be signed between the two foreign ministries during his visit.
Vorachith thanked the Azerbaijani government for training Lao specialists.
The International North-South Transport Corridor is meant to connect Northern Europe with Southeast Asia. It will serve as a link connecting the railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.
The corridor is planned to transport 5 million tons of cargo per year at the initial stage and more than 10 million tons of cargo in the future.
In June, Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith paid a visit to baku to hold high-level talks with the country’s authorities.
Then, the Governments of Azerbaijan and the Lao People`s Democratic Republic signed an Agreement on Exemption from visa requirement for holders of diplomatic passports.
---
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz