TEHRAN –- Iran and Azerbaijan customs administration officials signed a cooperation accord in Tehran.

Director of Iran Customs Administration Ardeshir Mohammadi said the objectives of the deal include expanding and facilitating trade, fighting the smuggling of goods and narcotics and easing customs routine.
Mohammadi said that $500 million worth of goods and one million passengers pass through the two countries’ borderlines each year.
He said that creating special joint border gates could expedite customs’ procedures and increase trade.
He expressed hope that these special border gates will be opened by next year.
Azerbaijani State Customs Committee Deputy Chairman Askar Abdullayev voiced his country’s readiness to extend cooperation between the two countries.
He went on to say that visits by the two states’ customs officials were essential to enhance and ease customs cooperation and help boost trade