Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 6 / Trend E. Mehdiyev /
A meeting of senior officials was held in Baku on Wednesday within the framework of the project Istanbul Process: A new agenda for regional cooperation in the Heart of Asia.
Opening the event, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov stressed the importance of the meeting and spoke of the work conducted to date.
He said the process has already taken practical shape and its activities expanded significantly. This event is a preparation for a meeting which will be held at ministerial level in Almaty on April 26. The declaration developed at this event will be adopted in Almaty, Azimov said.
Addressing the meeting, Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin said the Istanbul process is of great importance to his country.
Noting the historical ties between Azerbaijan and Afghanistan, he expressed his deep appreciation for Azerbaijan's support to his country.
Holding this meeting in Baku is a prime example of Azerbaijan's activity in this direction, Ludin said.
Speaking about bilateral relations between the countries, Ludin said the opening of the Afghan Embassy in Baku will be an impetus for a rapid development of relations.
The Istanbul Process: A new agenda for regional cooperation in the Heart of Asia is a political process carried out in the above mentioned conditional region by Afghanistan's 15 direct or regional neighbours. This process is supported by a number of states and international organisations, including the U.S., UK, Japan , UN, NATO and OSCE.
The main objective of the Istanbul Process is the region's contribution to peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.
As a country playing an important role in facilitating cooperation, stability and development in the region, Azerbaijan is a full-fledged member and one of the most active participants in the Istanbul Process.