– How can you evaluate the current state of relations between Iran andAzerbaijan?
– The relations between Azerbaijan and Iran have always been at a high level and it is developing now. The outside forces, who intend to blow to our friendship and neighborhood in a period that our relations are improving, have set various rumors afloat. Activities of both Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev aim at improving the cooperation between the two countries. Both heads of the state hold clear positions on topical issues and do not allow any third party cause to dissatisfaction. Once it was reported that Azerbaijan allegedly allowed Israeli military aircrafts fly over its territory. Official Baku has denied this news and Tehran said that there is no evidence for it. We believe that such rumors shouldn’t be accepted seriously in a time that friendship between Azerbaijan and Iran are strengthening.
Our relations with Azerbaijan are at a high level and developing dynamically. Recently, the Iranian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission had a meeting in Baku. At the end of the meeting a cooperation protocol was signed, envisaging development of the cooperation in many areas as well as concrete steps. Implementation of the protocol was started. Azerbaijani Minister of Economy and Industry will pay visit to Iran and Iranian Minister of Customs will visit Azerbaijan by the end of the month. New steps will be taken in the development of cooperation during these visits. The trade turnover between the two countries is about $ 500 million and this figure will increase to $ 1 billion next year.
– Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to Baku is on agenda, but its date has not been publicized yet.
– The visit will take place in the near future. Visit date is usually made public a week before the visit. The date and program of the visit will be publicized in coming days. I believe that Rouhani’s visit to Azerbaijan will open up a new stage in bilateral relations.
– What are new prospects in cooperation with Azerbaijan in security and defense spheres?
– The geographical position of Azerbaijan and Iran is that they should cooperate with each other for their security. Both countries pay attention to regional security and hold discussions if necessary. We have common opinions with the Azerbaijani government in a number of issues. We especially support Azerbaijan’s contribution to terrorism and extremism and are holding consultations in this regard. We have cooperation on strengthening of border service, drug smuggling and human trafficking. Protecting borders is very important for us, but we consider the borders with Azerbaijan borders. Both countries’ leaders can come to an arrangement in defense, security and judicial issues. I think that there are a lot of prospects to strengthen cooperation in this sphere and real steps will be taken as a result of mutual visits.
– The Karabakh conflict is still a threat to regional security. Probably, you are following the course of negotiations. What is Tehran’s position in this process?
– Regional security is very important for us. Thus, a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict is also important. We want the soonest resolution for this conflict. We are very pleased that the parties regularly meet and take part in the negotiations towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict. However, this process is running slowly. We consider that protraction of the conflict undermines stability in the region. We hope that the international resolutions on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be fulfilled. We hope for the OSCE Minsk Group’s achieving the settlement of the conflict lasting for more than 20 years. However, it seems that the Minsk Group is more interested in protraction of the conflict. We are concerned about the conflict’s remaining unresolved. We hope that the UN Security Council member states will take a strong position in this regard and the Karabakh problem will be solved soon.
– What are the developments in the field of education and culture?
– First of all, let me say that the historical correlation between Azerbaijan and Iran opens up a great potential for the cooperation. Currently, more than 500 Iranian citizens are studying in Azerbaijan. At the same time, nearly 300 Azerbaijani citizens are studying at higher educational institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Azerbaijan Medical University and Tabriz University of Medical Sciences signed a cooperation agreement on students-teachers exchanges. Mutual visits, exchange programs and conferences are carried out periodically. Khazar University and University of Tehran also signed such an agreement.
/Apa/
