Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan is interested in restoring the Khudaferin checkpoint on the border with Iran, head of the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev told journalists on October 28, commenting on the prospects for opening new borderline customs posts.

"We stand for the restoration of this checkpoint," Aliyev said. "The Azerbaijani side is the initiator of this idea. Currently it is too early to talk about any results. The negotiations are underway. Consent of the two countries is required to resolve this issue."

Aliyev also said that Azerbaijan's customs are focused on the modernization of existing customs checkpoints.

Moreover, Gabon's Director General of Customs Michel Ondinga Ngouengue said during a meeting with Aydin Aliyev in Baku on October 28 that Gabon is interested in studying the experience of Azerbaijani customs officers and assistance in applying this experience.

According to Aliyev, Azerbaijani customs officers have gained sufficient experience in the field of cynology.

"This experience can be useful to our colleagues and we are ready to share it as well as to provide any possible assistance. This is the first visit of a delegation from Gabon to Azerbaijan. I hope that it will launch a successful and lasting cooperation between our countries," Aliyev said.

Ngouengue said that the purpose of the Gabonese delegation's visit to Azerbaijan was to study the experience and cooperation.

"The success of Azerbaijan and its customs are known in the world," he said. "Your experience in administration, risk management and other areas would be useful to our department. We invite Azerbaijani State Customs Committee's experts to visit our country in order to explore the areas in which we can and must develop."

Aliyev also said that Azerbaijan and Togo will sign an agreement on customs cooperation.

"In 2012, a Togolese delegation paid a visit to Azerbaijan," Aliyev said. "In early November, our delegation will head to the country for a reciproal visit, during which an agreement on customs cooperation between the two countries in the field of human resource development will be initialed. Its signing will take place in the framework of my visit to Togo next year."

According to Aliyev, Togo is interested in studying the experience of Azerbaijani customs officers, in particular, in cynology.

During the visit, he said, interactive equipment and dogs specially trained to search narcotics will be shared.

"The state committee is ready to share its experience with the concerned countries, and a number of African countries have already expressed willingness to cooperate with Azerbaijan," the customs committee head said.