Afghanistan and Azerbaijan discuss expanding trade and developing the Lapis Lazuli corridor

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.

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