MINSK, 14 April (BelTA) – Belarus' Transport and Communications Minister Aleksei Avramenko met with Azerbaijan's Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technology Rashad Nabiyev on 13 April to discuss the ways of expanding cooperation in transport, spokeswoman for Belarus' Transport and Communications Ministry Anna Kurilenok told BelTA.
The parties discussed the restoration of regular air service between Belarus and Azerbaijan to the pre-pandemic level. At the moment, the Belvia airline is operating regular air service between Minsk and Baku.
The Belarusian minister suggested the AZAL airline mull over a transcontinental flight on the route Baku - Minsk - New York - Minsk – Baku. “Thanks to the airport's well-developed route network, flights to the United States via Minsk can become attractive not only for citizens of our countries but also for passengers from the Baltic states," Aleksei Avramenko said. He also stressed that Belarus is interested in this project and offered to work out concrete steps in the near future.
The possibility of training Azerbaijan's aviation specialists at the Belarusian State Aviation Academy was discussed too.
As for rail transport, Belarusian Railways has created the necessary conditions for the development of rail transport with Azerbaijan, including as part of the container train service Minsk-Baku. The Belzheldorproject Institute already successfully cooperates with Azerbaijan Railways and is ready to continue to work on railway infrastructure design and participate in similar projects.
During the meeting the ministers also discussed the cooperation in road transport and road management. For example, Belgiprodor company is ready to carry out survey and design work for roads, bridge structures and airfields.
"In general, the parties confirmed their interest in developing the strategic partnership and readiness to implement projects in order to explore the new areas of cooperation," the ministry concluded.
