DUSHANBE, January 22, 2013, Asia-Plus -- Afghanistan has agreed to return two Tajik helicopters impounded by Kabul last summer over a tax dispute.

Firouz Hamroyev, the general director of Tajik Air, told journalists on January 21 that one helicopter was back in Dushanbe and another one would arrive soon from Kabul.

Hamroyev said the two helicopters were impounded in Kabul over claims that the Supreme Food company, which supplies NATO troops in Afghanistan, did not pay its taxes.

Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports that Supreme Food had leased the use of Tajik Air''s helicopters.

Last summer, five Tajik pilots had to spend 45 days in Kabul over the issue.

According to Hamroyev, the Afghan authorities agreed to return the two helicopters after Tajik Air ended its cooperation with Supreme Food, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service noted.