Azerbaijan’s experience example for Afghanistan

/AzerNews/

By Sara Rajabova

Afghanistan sees an experience of development of Azerbaijan as an example for the country.

Mohammad Tagi Khalili, the newly appointed ambassador of Afghanistan to Baku made the remark at a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

Tagi Khalili presented to Minister Mammadyarov a copy of his credentials. The minister wished newly-appointed ambassador success in his diplomatic activity.

The sides expressed satisfaction with traditional friendship between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan.

Noting that Azerbaijan attaches importance to development of relations with friendly Afghanistan, Mammadyarov expressed hope for successful development of bilateral relations in scientific, educational, investment, humanitarian, transport and other spheres.

Tagi Khalili expressed respect for bright memory of national leader Heydar Aliyev in connection with the anniversary of the great leader’s death.

Expressing gratitude for support by Azerbaijan of Afghanistan in humanitarian, material and education spheres, Tagi Khalili emphasized appreciation given by the government and the people of his country to service for the sake of the peace and safety in Afghanistan of the courageous Azerbaijani soldiers as a part of the international security assistance force.

Azerbaijan's military personnel have been part of the ISAF contingent in the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. The mission of the armed forces in Afghanistan began on November 20, 2002. The Azerbaijani peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan doubled in 2009. Currently, some 90 Azerbaijani servicemen are serving as part of international forces securing safety in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan is among the eight partner countries that have confirmed their presence in Afghanistan after 2014.

Besides, extensive training programs are conducted for Afghanistan's law-enforcement and government officials at different academies in Azerbaijan. A total of three million euros has been transferred into the Fund of Trustees of Afghanistan's National Army, while one million euros was spent on strengthening operations.

The sides further discussed the questions of development of contract and legal grounds between the two countries and cooperation within the international organizations.

The ambassador said he will make every effort for further development of friendship between the two countries during his diplomatic activity.

The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan were established on November 16, 1994. Azerbaijani ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is concurrently accredited to Afghanistan. The embassy of Afghanistan to Azerbaijan was opened in November, 2012.