Interview: Expanding cooperation in agricultural trade contributes to Azerbaijan-China relations, says official

BAKU, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The expanding cooperation on agricultural trade between Azerbaijan and China contributes to and reflects the advancement of bilateral relations, an Azerbaijani official has said.

In an interview with Xinhua, Akbar Aliyev, head of the Import-Export Control Department at the Azerbaijani Food Safety Agency, pointed to cooperation documents signed in June with the Chinese side on customs cooperation on food safety and animal and plant quarantine inspection, electronic certificate online verification, and other related areas.

"These steps will strengthen the competitiveness of Azerbaijani products and help ensure their compliance with international standards," he said, adding that the moves mark a steady expansion of Azerbaijani agricultural exports to the Chinese market, on top of the hazelnut and almond exports previously agreed on.

In his view, deepening Azerbaijan-China cooperation in agricultural trade and food safety forms part of the progress achieved beyond traditional trade and economic exchanges, as seen in a wider range of fields including transportation, investment, energy and the digital economy.

"China is one of Azerbaijan's most important economic partners in Asia, while Azerbaijan serves as a reliable partner for China in the South Caucasus and a key link in transport routes connecting East and West," Aliyev said.

He added that Azerbaijan is a major transport and logistics hub along the Middle Corridor connecting China and Europe through the Caspian region.

In addition to improved transportation infrastructure, streamlined customs practices are helping accelerate bilateral trade and economic exchanges.

"The development of transport infrastructure, the simplification of customs procedures and growing cargo flows are contributing to increased trade and stronger economic links between our countries," he said.