Azerbaijan, Afghanistan to ink package of documents
By Aynur Jafarova
Azerbaijan and Afghanistan have signed a document on the development of trade-economic relations between the two countries, and have 12 documents waiting to be signed.
The news was announced by First Vice-Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Ziyafet Asgarov at a meeting with Afghan delegation, led by head of the parliamentary Commission for External Relations Nisar Ahmad Harris.
Asgarov noted Azerbaijan will continue supporting socio-economic development in Afghanistan.
Ahmad Harris, in turn, said their visit was aimed at gaining support for an initiative to hold a parliamentary conference in Kabul.
The conference will seek to increase the effectiveness of the fight against terrorism, illegal drug trafficking and religious fundamentalism, and ensure regional security and stability in the region, he added.
"Azerbaijan is handling such matters sensitively, as we also suffer from the Armenian terrorism and have 20 percent of our lands under the Armenian occupation," Asgarov said. "So combating narcotics trafficking is one of the key priorities in Azerbaijan's policy."
Later, the Afghan delegation met with members of Azerbaijani Parliament's Economic Policy Committee.
Azerbaijan, the most moderate, progressive, and democratic state among Muslim countries, cooperates with Afghanistan in different spheres.
Currently, there are several Azerbaijani investors in Afghanistan, including Azinco Company which has invested $25 million in refining and plans to increase it to $55 million.
The Mazar-i-Sharif oil refinery, which opened in Afghanistan by Afghan and Azerbaijani investments, currently recycles 500 tons of crude oil per day and its capacity is planned to increase 1,500 tons per day.
Military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan is built on friendly terms, and bilateral relations are constantly developing to both sides' benefit.
Azerbaijan is among the eight partner countries that have confirmed their presence in Afghanistan after 2014. Peacekeepers of the country will stay in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country by the end of 2014. However, Azerbaijan will reduce its presence in Afghanistan after 2014.