Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Ian Saunders.

Axar.az reports that according to Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, the meeting focused on the current state and future prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Customs Organization, as well as issues related to facilitating international trade, border security, the digitalization of customs systems, combating illicit trade, strengthening supply chain resilience, and enhancing customs capacity.

Bayramov emphasized the importance Azerbaijan attaches to effective cooperation with the WCO and briefed the Secretary General on the country's customs reforms, efforts to expand transit opportunities, and measures to facilitate international trade. He noted that Azerbaijan's contribution to the development of the East-West and North-South transport corridors plays an important role in strengthening regional and global trade links.

Bayramov also informed the WCO Secretary General about the new regional realities, the peace process, and reconstruction and infrastructure projects in the territories liberated from occupation.

The minister highlighted Azerbaijan's large-scale projects aimed at further strengthening its position as a key transport and logistics hub in Eurasia. In this context, he referred to the expansion of the capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the development of the Middle Corridor, the expansion of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, and the activities of the Alat Free Economic Zone, noting that Azerbaijan's growing role in international supply chains creates new opportunities for improving customs procedures and facilitating trade.

The two sides stressed the importance of strengthening international customs cooperation, applying innovative technologies, expanding information exchange, and further developing institutional cooperation.

They also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.