Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 15 / Trend I. Khalilova /
On Monday, the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee and bp-Azerbaijan signed a protocol "Import and export duties and taxes", the committee said. The documents were signed by First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Safar Mehdiyev and bp-Azerbaijan president Rashid Javanshir.
During a meeting the head of the State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev highly appreciated the work conducted by the company to develop the oil sector of Azerbaijan as a whole. He recalled the projects that have been transformed from a legend into reality. The construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline are among them.
"The transit of oil, extracted in the Caspian Sea, across the country, which has a reasonable geo-strategic position, has both economic and strategic significance for the development of the republic," Aliyev said.
He stressed the existing ties between bp, the largest oil company among those operating in the country, and the customs bodies. He emphasized the role of customs bodies, who adequately complied with the obligations imposed on them as a part of the oil strategy.
Aliyev stressed the positive influence of mutual activity on a common cause. He expressed confidence that the signed protocols will give impetus to further development of existing relations of cooperation.
"Much work was conducted to successfully implement the projects in this direction and to get the initial oil after signing the Contract of the Century," bp-Azerbaijan president Rashid Javanshir said.
He appreciated the cooperation with the committee for the last few years. Speaking about the invaluable role of customs bodies in implementing large-scale projects undertaken by the company, bp-Azerbaijan president stressed the high level of cooperation with the customs system. He expressed confidence in further expanding the existing business relationships.