Azernews.Az

The issue of using "single window" at border checkpoints between Azerbaijan and Iran was discussed and an agreement was reached at the meeting of deputy heads of the Iranian and Azerbaijani customs committees, Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pakayin told Trend news agency on Wednesday.

Using this system will accelerate a process of holding customs procedures and facilitate procedures for citizens at border crossings as well as contribute to the growth of trade turnover between the two countries, Pakayin said.

"We hope that a single window system will be used at customs points in the coming year," he said.

Trade turnover volume between the two countries is $500 million, he said.

One million people cross the Iranian-Azerbaijani border every year, he added.

"Expanding cooperation in the field of customs and simplifying customs procedures will create the enviroment necessary to develop and accelerate trade between the two countries as well as combat drug trafficking and smuggling," Pakayin said.

Deputy heads of the Azerbaijani and Iranian customs committee met in Astara (Azerbaijan) on Tuesday. The issues were discussed to resolve problems surrounding the facilitation of customs procedures at the checkpoints while crossing the border and to increase trade turnover. The agreement was signed to expand the cooperation in the customs field.

"More people began crossing through the Astara checkpoint, so it is important to resolve existing problems," Pakayin said.