BAKU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of freight from Afghanistan arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday via the Lapis Lazuli international transit corridor, according to the state-run news agency AZERTAC.
Having crossed Turkmenistan, nine trucks carrying 175 tons of cargo, mainly cotton, dried fruit and sesame will continue to Europe via the territories of Georgia and Turkey.
Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the first batch of cargo, Afghan ambassador to Azerbaijan Khairullah Spelenai said the transit route will be expanded. He vowed that the Afghan government will do its utmost to transform Lapis Lazuli into a major trade and transit route from Afghanistan to Europe.
Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan Erkan Ozoral said he believes the corridor will provide access for Afghan goods to world markets.
In November 2017, Turkey, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed an agreement to set up the Lapis Lazuli corridor. The project is estimated to cost more than 2 billion U.S. dollars. The first track of the route was inaugurated by President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in Herat on Dec. 13.
