POLITICS
Araz Azimov: “Azerbaijan has agreed to be as a transit country in the withdrawal of NATO cargo from Afghanistan”
Baku, February 6 (AZERTAC). “ISAF troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, a part of cargo will be withdrawn trough transit corridor provided by Azerbaijan and delivered to Europe and other countries,” Azerbaijan`s Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told journalists.
Araz Azimov said currently, the cargo delivery is still being continued to Afghanistan through Azerbaijan within the ISAF operation. He noted that Azerbaijan offered this opportunity to NATO as its contribution: “NATO member countries and partner countries are using these transit opportunities. However, ISAF troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, a part of cargo will be withdrawn trough transit corridor provided by Azerbaijan and delivered to Europe and other countries. At present this opportunity is being used. But large-size cargo withdrawal will start in the second half of 2013, because within a year - in 2014, all the troops are to be withdrawn in a prearranged manner. It is impossible to withdraw all cargo at once, because ISAF must remain in Afghanistan by end of this year and gradually hand over its mission to the local government. The government of Afghanistan has mobilized efforts to ensure its sovereign control in the country and to independently exercise control over security. This process is still underway and almost 90 percent has been implemented. We are cooperating with Afghanistan in all spheres and are ready to continue the cooperation.”