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Azerbaijan FM Jeyhun Bayramov meets with WCO Secretary General

13 July 2026 17:22 (UTC +04:00)

On July 13, Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Ian Saunders, APA reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the WCO, as well as issues related to facilitating international trade, border security, digitalization of customs systems, combating illicit trade, strengthening supply chain resilience, and enhancing customs capacity.

Minister Bayramov emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to effective cooperation with the WCO and briefed the Secretary General on the customs reforms being implemented in the country, the expansion of transit opportunities, and efforts 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.

The minister also provided detailed information on the new regional realities, the peace process, reconstruction efforts, and infrastructure projects in Azerbaijan's liberated territories.

Bayramov highlighted the large-scale projects aimed at further strengthening Azerbaijan's position as a major transport and logistics hub in Eurasia. In this context, he noted that increasing the capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, developing the Middle Corridor, expanding the Port of Baku, and the operation of the Alat Free Economic Zone have enhanced Azerbaijan's role in international supply chains, creating new opportunities for improving customs procedures and facilitating trade.

The sides underscored the importance of strengthening international customs cooperation, expanding the use of innovative technologies, enhancing information exchange, and further developing institutional cooperation.

They also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

Jeyhun Bayramov Ian Saunders World Customs Organization WCO Azerbaijan customs cooperation international trade border security Middle Corridor Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Port of Baku Alat Free Economic Zone