Jeyhun Bayramov meets with World Customs Organization chief Ian Saunders

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a meeting with Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Ian Saunders, Report informs, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the current state and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Customs Organization, facilitation of international trade, border security, digitalization of customs systems, combating illegal trade, strengthening the resilience of supply chains, and capacity building in the customs sphere were discussed.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to effective cooperation with the WCO and provided information about the reforms carried out in the customs sphere in our country, the expansion of transit capabilities, and the work done towards facilitating international trade. It was noted that Azerbaijan's contribution to the development of the East-West and North-South transport corridors plays an important role in strengthening regional and global trade ties.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov provided the other side with detailed information about the new regional realities, the peace process, the construction work and infrastructure projects being carried out in our territories liberated from occupation.

The minister spoke about the large-scale projects being implemented in the direction of further strengthening our country's position as an important transport and logistics hub of Eurasia. In this framework, it was noted that the increase in the throughput capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, the development of the Middle Corridor, the expansion of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, and the operation of the Alat Free Economic Zone have resulted in Azerbaijan's growing role in international supply chains, creating new opportunities in terms of enhancing the efficiency of customs procedures and facilitating trade.

The sides emphasized the importance of strengthening international customs cooperation, implementing innovative technologies, and further developing information exchange and institutional cooperation.

During the meeting, an exchange of views was also held on other issues of mutual interest.