Working Group of heads of border services of the International Conference on Border Issues gathered for its regular meeting in Baku on Monday.

The event brings together representatives from border services of various countries, FRONTEX Agency, International Organization for Migration, EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine.

Opening the meeting, Chief of Azerbaijan State Border Service Elchin Guliyev spoke about the meeting`s importance.

He also briefed the participants on the reforms carried out in his department.

E. Guliyev said Azerbaijan`s borders under Armenian occupation are out of control.

He stressed Azerbaijan is an initiator and participant of major projects, adding this factor increases the responsibility to protect the country`s borders.

Azerbaijan President`s adviser for military issues Vahid Aliyev said ensuring security and stability is one of his country`s policy priorities.

He also stressed the importance of protection of internationally recognized borders.

V.Aliyev noted Azerbaijan has done significant work to protect state borders, to fight against smuggling, organized crime and terrorism.

Azerbaijan`s Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said world countries should cooperate in and conduct exchange of experience on protection of borders.

The two-day meeting will also focus on the current state in border cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

On the sidelines of the event, border chiefs will conduct bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Azerbaijan joined the International Conference on Border Issues in 2002.

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