MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN, AZERBAIJAN AND AFGHANISTAN DISCUSSED TOPICAL ISSUES OF COOPERATION

On July 13, 2020, tripartite online meeting was held between the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammed Haneef Atmar.

In the course of the negotiations, the parties ascertained the high level of political-diplomatic dialogue between the three states. An exchange of views and suggestions was held regarding the implementation of the agreements reached during the trilateral videoconference of the Presidents of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan, which took place at the beginning of the current month. As is known, one of the main topics of that meeting was the enhancement of cooperation within the international transit-transport corridor along the route Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey (Lapis Lazuli).

Noting the benefits of the geographic location of the three countries on the crossroads of important trunk lines, R.Meredov underlined the significance of strengthening trilateral interaction, which promotes the successful implementation of the transport resource for widening connections between the regions. According to the initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan, the creation of the Unified logistics center, the introduction of advanced technologies in the freight system, simplification of tariff and customs regulation and the use of the trilateral negotiation mechanisms will contribute to the development of the entire region, strengthening trade-economic cooperation between the states of Central and South Asia and Europe.

The diplomats agreed to continue cooperation in this direction by means of video consultations between the representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of three countries.

Topical issues of the regional and international agenda, including the universal fight against the COVID-19 pandemic were also considered.