By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan and Ukraine have agreed to prohibit the import of goods produced in the occupied territories of the two countries, without the approval of the authorities.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Alexander Mishchenko made the remark while talking to reporters on February 6, Report.az said.

During the visit of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to Baku in July 2016, the two presidents gave instructions to the heads of customs agencies to meet and discuss this issue, the ambassador said. Following the initial consent, the customs authorities developed a mechanism whereby goods from the occupied territories can be supplied only if they are licensed by the central authorities.

“Rules and circulars came into effect immediately after the presidents gave instructions. There is no need to sign any intergovernmental agreement,” the ambassador said.

The ambassador further reminded that Baku and Kiev agreed on supply of 10 cargo aircraft An-178. "The assembly of the aircraft An-178 in Azerbaijan is scheduled to begin in 2018-2019," he said.

Mishchenko added that the Ukrainian side prepares two aircrafts for sale, but the remaining eight planes will be assembled in Azerbaijan.

“There are constant consultations between Deputy Secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Oleg Gladkovsky and President of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Jahangir Asgarov,” he added.

The ambassador said that AZAL is already building modules and place where the assembly process will be held.

Azerbaijan and Ukraine enjoy sustainable prospects of bilateral relations in political, economic, energy, transport and humanitarian fields.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Ukraine was $234.7 million in the first nine months of 2016. A total of $201.8 million of them were the imports from Ukraine to Azerbaijan, according to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee.

In 2016, President Petro Poroshenko visited Azerbaijan, and a number of agreements were signed during the visit. Additionally, the presidents discussed implementation of joint projects in energy, transport and agricultural spheres.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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