Azerbaijan, Afghanistan team up for energy co-op

Azerbaijan and Afghanistan are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding in the sphere of energy, Azerbaijani Minister of Industry and Energy Natig Aliyev told journalists on Wednesday after a meeting with Afghanistan's Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani.

According to him, the document which is considered to become 'a road map' of cooperation between the two countries' ministries is planned to be signed in November in Kabul.
"We discussed the issue of economic cooperation, especially in oil and gas spheres including ways of expanding Afghanistan's resource base, conducting search exploration work and Azerbaijan's assistance in the oil refining area," Aliyev said.

According to him, the ministries view the issue of creation of a joint working group where Azerbaijani experts will study data about Afghanistan, will offer consultations about how a resource base can be effectively used in this country. Azerbaijan also offers Afghanistan the chance to train oil industry experts.

Shahrani told journalist that Afghanistan is also interested in using Azerbaijan's transit opportunities and already holds negotiations with Turkmenistan.


/Trend/