Senior officials meet within Istanbul Process in Baku
By Nigar Orujova
A meeting of senior officials within the framework of the Istanbul Process project was held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on Wednesday.
"Istanbul Process: New Agenda for Regional Cooperation in the 'Heart of Asia'" is a political process created by 15 direct or regional neighbors of Afghanistan with the main objective to contribute to peace, stability and development in the country. The process is supported by numerous countries and international organizations, including the United States, Britain, Japan, the United Nations, NATO and the OSCE.
Opening the event, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov stressed the importance of the meeting and spoke of the work done to date.
According to Azimov, the process has already taken a practical shape and its activities have expanded significantly.
The Baku event comes in preparation for a meeting which will be held at ministerial level in Almaty on April 26. A declaration developed at this event will be adopted in the Kazakh city, Azimov said.
Transit of goods to Afghanistan through Azerbaijan continues as part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations and the country offers various services, Azimov told journalists on Wednesday.
He said it is Azerbaijan's contribution to this process that enables NATO member states and partners to enjoy these transit opportunities.
"By late 2014 ISAF troops will leave Afghanistan and part of the cargo will be withdrawn through the transit corridors provided by Azerbaijan to Europe and other countries. Now this is already underway," Azimov said.
He said goods will be transported on a larger scale from the second half of 2013.
"Within a year, that is, in 2014, withdrawal of all troops should be carried out in accordance with the plan. It is impossible to withdraw everything simultaneously. ISAF troops should stay in the country until the end of this year, gradually transferring the mission to the Afghan government," Azimov said.
"The Afghan government has directed all of its potential to extending its sovereign control over its entire territory and ensuring security. This process continues and, we can say, [has been] fulfilled by 90 per cent. We, in turn, cooperate with Afghanistan in all areas and are prepared to continue this cooperation."
Addressing the meeting, Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin said the Istanbul Process is of great importance for his country.
Speaking about bilateral relations, he noted the historical ties between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan and expressed deep appreciation for Azerbaijan's support to his country.
Ludin said the opening of the Afghan Embassy in Baku will give an impetus to a rapid development of the relations between the two countries.
As a country playing an important role in enhancing cooperation in the region by ensuring stability and development, Azerbaijan is a full-fledged member of the Istanbul Process.
Azerbaijani aid to Afghanistan
In January, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said on a visit to Afghanistan that Azerbaijan plans to increase its help to Afghanistan in combating drugs and the insurgency, and will offer assistance in rebuilding local infrastructure.
According to the Afghan Foreign Ministry, Azerbaijan has donated $2 million in the security sector in recent years.
Azerbaijan closely cooperates with NATO-led operations in Afghanistan. Since 2002, Azerbaijan has been contributing troops to the ISAF in Afghanistan, and gradually increased its forces to about 95 personnel.
An infantry company, deminers, medical assistants and staff from Azerbaijan are serving alongside NATO forces, as part of a Turkish contingent, in ISAF. Azerbaijan also contributes to the NATO-ANA (Afghan National Army) Trust Fund.
ISAF is a NATO-led international military contingent operating in Afghanistan since 2001.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told a NATO ISAF ministerial meeting in early December that the people of Afghanistan are well aware that Azerbaijan remains committed to the common cause not only in this format but also bilaterally and will do its utmost to achieve ultimate success.