Baku, Tehran call for boosting trade, customs cooperation

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijan and Iran have expressed readiness to boost trade and customs cooperation.

Head of Iran's Customs Administration Massoud Karbasian called for a swift implementation of the latest economic agreements reached between the two states during his talks with Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev in Baku on October 4, Press TV reported.

He described his meeting with Chairman of the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev as "helpful," saying both sides agreed for the customs checkpoint at Iran-Azerbaijan border to operate round-the-clock.

Recently, Aliyev and Karbasian inspected and got briefed on the works of Astara Border Crossing Point in Azerbaijan during the latter's visit to Azerbaijan. The heads of the two countries' customs administrations studied closely the conditions created at the Astara Border Crossing Point for transportation of passengers and cargos.

Karbasian further said the agreement, which will be implemented as soon as possible, will facilitate trade between Tehran and Baku.

Mustafayev, for his part, said Baku is ready to increase cooperation with Tehran in agriculture, energy, trade and transportation sectors.

He also called for setting up a joint chamber of commerce with Iran.

Mustafayev also praised the agreements signed by heads of state of Caspian Sea littoral states during the recent summit in the Russian city of Astrakhan.

Azerbaijan and Iran have agreed to shortly sign a new customs agreement. The last agreement in the customs sphere was signed in 2002.

Azerbaijan and Iran have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.

Data from the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan shows that trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $281.03 million in 2013, which is 6.13 percent higher than 2012. The figure stood at $263.785 million in 2012.

/AzerNews/