Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.13
By Ilkin Izzet, Azad Hasanli - Trend:
Azerbaijan plans to open new border checkpoints with Iran, the deputy chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan Asgar Abdullayev told reporters Dec.12.
Opening of the customs in particular is needed on the territory of Bilasuvar district, according to him.
"Negotiations are currently underway, and we can say that an agreement has already been reached," he said. "In the future, we also want to open the Khudaferin border checkpoint."
Deputy chairman also touched on the issue of round the clock work of Bilasuvar border checkpoint, and he said that the Iranian side had already given its consent.
Abdullayev said that round the clock work of Bilasuvar border checkpoint is needed because of the increased intensity there. It is also necessary that the goods could be delivered to Nakhchivan within one day, said Abdullayev.
Regarding for the clock work of other border checkpoints, this issue will be considered in case of increasing intensity on them, according to deputy chairman. But this issue needs to be addressed on the basis of agreement of both parties, he said.
There are six border checkpoints on the Iranian-Azerbaijani border, five of which now operate (Julfa, Shakhtakhti, Astara, Bilasuvar and Imishli). Horadiz border checkpoint hasn't worked for a long time.
The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran in January-October 2014 amounted to $159.314 million, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan imported goods at $127.96 million, and exported at $31.35 million during the ten months of 2014.
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Azad Hasanli is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AzadHasanli