Editor's note: Elmar Mammadyarov's statement was added
Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 3 / Trend /
Azerbaijan is ready to further contribute to stability in Afghanistan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said at an international conference on Afghanistan in Istanbul.
Mammadyarov spoke about the work undertaken by Azerbaijan to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. Minister said that Azerbaijan joined the international peacekeeping forces in 2002, doubled the number of the servicemen in Afghanistan in 2009. "Azerbaijan has also made contribution to the non-military sector," he said.
Foreign Minister said that Afghan specialists attend trainings in Azerbaijan, two doctors and two engineers from Azerbaijan were sent to the Kabul Regional Command, 11 employees of Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan attended trainings of ANAMA, 10500 booklets prepared by ANAMA at the request of Afghanistan's Education Ministry and published with the support of Azerbaijani Education Ministry will be soon delivered to Parvan region.
It was was noted that 4 Afghan diplomats attended trainings at Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA) in May last year, 19 representatives of Afghan governmental and non governmental institutions participated in the course "Rule of Law and Good Governance" jointly organized by ADA and Geneva Center for Security Policy in September-October in Baku.
Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan expressed willingness to continue educational and training courses for Afghans in other fields too and if necessary, Azerbaijan will also consider education of Afghan students at the Azerbaijani universities.
Azerbaijan is very important transit place because of its geographic location and transport infrastructure and it makes large contribution to commercial shipment to Afghanistan. The minister said Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway would intensify and regulate quick and secure cargo transportation and under-construction sea port was also expected to increase volume of shipment to Afghanistan.
The minister said his country was interested in sustainable development of Afghan economy and Azerbaijan was ready to review possible proposals by the Afghan government in this field. The minister said Azerbaijan had great experience in production of natural resources and it expressed willingness to contribute to positive development in this field if Afghan side had concrete projects.
Mammadyarov emphasized the importance of regional and international approach to the Afghan problem and necessity of joint efforts by the international community to eliminate this problem and support to efforts of the Afghan government for security, economic development and welfare of the people.
During his visit, Mammadyarov also met with his Turkish counterpart, during which the sides exchanged views on regional issues and bilateral relations.