On the border between Azerbaijan and Iran over the Araz River, the chief customs officers of the two countries stressed the importance of expanding trade and customs ties. The chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Safar Mehdiyev expressed hope that the talks with Iran will increase the level and value of trade between the two countries.

The head of the Iranian Customs Administration (IRICA) Alirza Muqaddas said that interaction and trade cooperation with Azerbaijan have always been emphasised by Iranian officials. He added that to expand trade relations with Azerbaijan, seasonal meetings between customs officials of the two countries continue.

According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, the total trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran in January-March this year amounted to 122 million 323 thousand U.S. dollars. This is 21 million 48 thousand U.S. dollars or 20.8% more than in the first quarter of 2021. Exports from Azerbaijan to Iran amounted to 8 million 442 thousand U.S. dollars, which is 3 million 166 thousand U.S. dollars or 60% more than in January-March 2021. In the first three months of this year, Azerbaijan imported goods and goods from Iran worth 113 million 881 thousand US dollars, which is 17 million 882 thousand U.S. dollars or 18.6% more than in January-March 2021.

Azerbaijan and Iran signed protocols on customs cooperation

The head of the Iranian Customs Organization said that three protocols of cooperation were signed with Azerbaijan. The protocols were signed by the chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Safar Mehdiyev and the head of the Iranian Customs Organization Ali-Reza Muqaddas.

Ali-Reza Muqaddas said that 13 articles of the protocols signed between the customs officials of the two countries in Julfa (Iranian part of city) will further develop the level of cooperation, economic operations, customs procedures and bilateral relations. Muqaddas said that the protocols also reached an agreement on trilateral transit between Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia. According to him, before the meeting, Iranian customs officials held a series of meetings with Azerbaijani officials and the results were reported to the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The head of the Iranian Customs Organization said that Azerbaijani officials agreed with the articles of the protocols and now a trilateral agreement needs to be signed in Tehran.

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