Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar, met with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov in Baku to discuss expanding trade and developing the Lapis Lazuli transport corridor.
Baradar highlighted the importance of keeping the Lapis Lazuli Corridor operational and overcoming challenges to enhance trade and transit between Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.
The corridor is a regional trade and transit route linking Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye. Georgia officially joined the initiative in 2017.
The route starts in Afghanistan, passes through Turkmenbashi Port in Turkmenistan, crosses the Caspian Sea to Baku, continues through Tbilisi, and reaches Türkiye, creating a direct connection to European markets.
He called on Azerbaijan to invest in key sectors including oil and gas extraction, railway expansion, and renewable energy development such as solar and wind power.
The Afghan deputy prime minister also requested cooperation in agricultural mechanisation, water management, public service programmes, demining, and vocational training.
In response, Prime Minister Asadov praised Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage and expressed eagerness to deepen relations through the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and bilateral partnerships. He welcomed Afghanistan’s rapid economic progress and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to joint work in trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Asadov proposed reactivating the Joint Economic Commission to further expand collaboration. He also noted Azerbaijan’s priority on the Lapis Lazuli route and pledged support for implementing ministerial decisions on transport.
The two leaders confirmed a trilateral working group between Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is active, with meetings scheduled to continue.
Azerbaijan also pledged support for the transit of Afghan coal through its territory to Türkiye, easier visa procedures for Afghan traders, scholarships for Afghan students, capacity-building programmes and assistance with Afghan prisoners in Azerbaijan.
Both sides described the talks as a valuable step toward enhancing political and economic relations and committed to continuing practical cooperation in the highlighted areas.
France has continued activities that undermine the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, including espionage and information campaigns targeting Baku, acc...
Iran’s World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by travel disruption, organisational problems and a shortage of key support staff, with players and ...
Israel has formally assumed planning and construction powers at one of the most sensitive religious sites in the occupied West Bank, ending an arrange...
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) have called for a strong and coordinated international response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of...
Pope Leo XIV has been invited to visit Azerbaijan by President Aliyev during talks with a senior Vatican official in Baku. The invitation was extended...
France has continued activities that undermine the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, including espionage and information campaigns targeting Baku, according to Azerbaijan’s State Commission Against Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats.
Israel has formally assumed planning and construction powers at one of the most sensitive religious sites in the occupied West Bank, ending an arrangement that had been in place for nearly three decades.
Pope Leo XIV has been invited to visit Azerbaijan by President Aliyev during talks with a senior Vatican official in Baku. The invitation was extended during a meeting on Tuesday between President Aliyev and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, who is responsible for interfaith affairs at the Vatican.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned against actions in the Black Sea that could threaten regional stability, saying he raised the issue directly with Russia during talks in Moscow.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
France has continued activities that undermine the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, including espionage and information campaigns targeting Baku, according to Azerbaijan’s State Commission Against Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats.
Israel has formally assumed planning and construction powers at one of the most sensitive religious sites in the occupied West Bank, ending an arrangement that had been in place for nearly three decades.
Pope Leo XIV has been invited to visit Azerbaijan by President Aliyev during talks with a senior Vatican official in Baku. The invitation was extended during a meeting on Tuesday between President Aliyev and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, who is responsible for interfaith affairs at the Vatican.
Israel's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal seeking the release of prominent Palestinian doctor Hussam Abū Ṣafiyah, who has been held without charge since his detention in Gaza in late 2024.
An exiled Russian artist has been shot dead in Poland days after he carried out a one-man protest against Vladimir Putin, featuring a caricature of the Russian President as a baby held by the Soviet-era dictator Joseph Stalin.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment