/By AzerNews/

By Aynur Karimova

Azerbaijan and Belarus have signed a protocol on international roads and cargo transportation.

The document was signed within the framework of the meeting of the Joint Commission in Baku.

The head of the State Service of Automobile Transport under Azerbaijan's Transport Ministry, Elnur Abdullayev and the head of the Automobile and Urban Transport Service under Belarusian Transport and Communications Ministry Sergei Dubina signed the protocol.

The document covers various issues, in particular international road links, their prospects and development, use of permission documents in cargo transportation, exchange of permissions for international road transportation in 2016, and other issues.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus date back to many years ago. Both countries were part of the Russian Empire until 1918 and before gaining their independence in 1991, they were part of the Soviet Union.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1993, but Azerbaijan and Belarus started to get closer during past decade.

Currently the two countries enjoy high level ties in various fields and closely cooperate within international organizations. Belarus opened embassy in Azerbaijan in February 2006, Azerbaijan opened embassy in Belarus in August 2006.

According to the Belarusian government, Belarus-Azerbaijan mutual trade totaled $330.8 million in 2014.

Belarus' main exports include products of wood working, mechanical engineering, foodstuffs, medications, ferrous metals and glassware. Azerbaijan's exports comprise oil products, hydrocarbons, juices, agricultural products, aluminum goods.

Currently the two countries are implementing the long-term social and economic cooperation program through 2015. Belarus has been implementing projects in logistics, public catering, and trade with a total amount of Azerbaijani investment of over $20 million. Minsk and Baku operate regular flights.