PM: Azerbaijan maintains close economic, trade ties with CIS countries

Azerbaijan maintains close bilateral trade and economic ties with almost all Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, Prime Minister Ali Asadov said.

He made the remarks at the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Sochi on June 8, Report informs.

"According to the results of 2022, the total turnover of Azerbaijan with CIS member states increased by more than 28 per cent. There is a positive trend in the current year as well, for the first four months of which we managed to increase mutual trade by 22 per cent," the prime minister said.

Against the backdrop of current global geopolitical challenges, the growing relevance of cooperation in the transport and transit sector was noted.

"Azerbaijan, as a key transport hub in the region, is constantly improving its transport and logistics infrastructure and is ready to make more intensive use of its potential to ensure the increasing volume of traffic for the needs of our partners in the CIS," Asadov said.

The parties stated the importance of unblocking transport and economic ties in the South Caucasus.

Given the growing interest of the CIS countries to cooperate in the development of alternative energy sources, the attention of the members of the Council of Heads of Government was drawn to the work done in Azerbaijan in this field.

The premier noted Azerbaijan's readiness to consider opportunities for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation on the "green" energy agenda.

He added that Azerbaijan, with the world’s leading companies, is implementing a number of major projects in the development of alternative energy sources.  

Asadov noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to mutually beneficial partnerships and the continuation of productive cooperation at a governmental level within the CIS.

The meeting participants were also informed of the post-conflict situation in the region. It was noted that Azerbaijan, being committed to the peace agenda, is determined to continue efforts for strengthening peace and security in the region.

Besides, the premier thanked the governments of the CIS member states for arranging numerous high-level events on the 100th anniversary of national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev in their countries.

He emphasised the key role of the humanitarian sphere in strengthening mutual understanding and good-neighbourly relations among the CIS member states.

Recalling that in 2025 the third CIS Games will be held in Azerbaijan, the prime minister spoke about the country's experience in hosting prestigious sports competitions such as the European Games 2015, the Islamic Solidarity Games 2017, the European Youth Olympic Festival 2019, the UEFA club and national competition games and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Touching upon the CIS Games, Asadov said that being an important humanitarian sports project the Games help to strengthen traditionally friendly relations between the peoples of the participating states.

"We have modern sports, logistics and tourism infrastructure, and sufficient human resources. All these resources together with absolute security guarantees provided by the Azerbaijani state to all participants and delegates enable to say that the competition will be held successfully and at a high level," Asadov added.

A number of documents aimed at further deepening cooperation within the Commonwealth were signed at the end of the meeting.

Before the meeting, Asadov and other heads of delegations toured the exhibition "Eurasia is our Home" in the Park of Science and Art "Sirius".