Azerbaijan’s parliament has ratified an air services agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and Mongolia, creating a legal framework for establishing international air connections between the two countries.

The draft law on ratification was discussed at the first meeting of the parliament’s autumn session, according to Report.

The agreement provides a legal basis for passenger, baggage, cargo and mail transportation along agreed routes and sets rules for the operations of airlines designated by the two countries.

Under the agreement, each side grants the other the right to fly over its territory without landing, make non-commercial stops and operate flights along the routes specified in the agreement’s annex. Each country may designate one or more airlines to operate the agreed services and may modify or withdraw those designations.

The agreement also provides exemptions from customs duties and taxes for aircraft used in international services, along with their regular equipment, fuel, lubricants, supplies and certain other items.

Designated airlines will also be allowed to transfer their revenues earned in the territory of the other country in freely convertible currency after deducting applicable expenses.

Azerbaijan and Mongolia have reaffirmed their international commitments to preventing unlawful interference with civil aviation and agreed to provide mutual assistance in the event of security threats.

The agreement also covers the mutual recognition of certificates and licenses, aviation safety consultations and inspections of aircraft on the apron.

Under the agreement’s annex, designated Azerbaijani airlines will be able to operate services involving Baku, Ganja, Nakhchivan, Lankaran, Gabala and Zagatala in Azerbaijan, and Ulaanbaatar, Khovd and Choibalsan in Mongolia. Intermediate and final destinations will be determined at a later stage.

The agreement also allows designated airlines to conclude codeshare arrangements.

Following discussion, the document was put to a vote and adopted in the first reading.