Azerbaijani minister hails SPECA member states’ activity in Karabakh

Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov has said that SPECA member states are actively operating in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from occupation.

Jabbarov made the remarks at the 2023 SPECA Economic Forum “Transforming the SPECA Region into a Connectivity Hub with Global Outreach” as part of the SPECA (UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia) week, Trend reports.

“Azerbaijan has suffered from a violation of its sovereignty for 30 years. Azerbaijan is currently investing in the liberated territories. Uzbekistan built a school there. We also highly appreciate the activity of other countries in Karabakh,” the minister emphasised.

Jabbarov also stressed that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and SPECA member states is growing.

“The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and SPECA member states increased approximately 3.6 times and reached $1.3 billion in 2022. The trade turnover reached $1.2 billion during the first nine months of this year, increasing by approximately 16 per cent compared to the same period of last year,” he emphasised.

Jabbarov added that an increase in trade turnover testifies to the potential for future cooperation.

“As we continue intensifying our trade relationships with relevant countries, we must also recognise the need for expanding ties and developing infrastructure. This includes simplification of customs procedures, reduction of trade barriers, mine clearance, cross-border transportation, as well as unification of political procedures,” he added.

The 2023 SPECA Economic Forum “Transforming the SPECA Region into a Connectivity Hub with Global Outreach” kicked off in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku.

The Forum is based on the active position of Azerbaijan and other SPECA member states aimed at developing SPECA as a service-oriented, flexible and strategic platform for coordinating issues and promoting dialogue in politics and cooperation, consolidation of positions, searching for solutions to common challenges, developing strategies and work plans for their implementation.

The UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was established on March 26, 1998.

Currently, SPECA member states are Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

SPECA is a platform for subregional cooperation to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that can be achieved through regional cooperation. Azerbaijan chairs SPECA in 2023. SPECA Days are being held in Baku on November 20-24, 2023.