Baku: Azerbaijan began transporting its first fuel shipment to neighboring Armenia in three decades, as the two Southern Caucasus neighbors continue steps to improve ties following years of conflict, media reports said Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is delivering domestically produced petroleum products to Armenia for the first time. The Azertac state news agency reported that 1,220 tons of fuel loaded into 22 railway wagons have been dispatched from a terminal in Baku.

The fuel is being transported to the Boyuk Kesik Railway Station, situated near the Azerbaijani border with neighboring Georgia, through which it is expected to be delivered to Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented earlier Thursday, noting he welcomed the development, stating that the trade is taking place between private companies but is facilitated by the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In October, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced that Baku lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia. Pashinyan welcomed the decision as an 'extremely important announcement.' The two Southern Caucasus neighbors signed a declaration at a trilateral summit at the White House in August, along with US President Donald Trump, committing to cease hostilities, reopen transport routes, and normalize relations.