President Masuud Pezeshkian highlighted the deep, deep and friendly ties between Iran and Azerbaijan, and emphasized that politicians and cultural figures must be careful not to create discord among the senior officials by irrational actions by a few individuals.
Prior to his visit to Azerbaijan, President Pezeshkian told Azerbaijan’s national television network that officials should not allow childish conflicts and reckless actions by minorities seeking to harm bilateral relations in order to cause disagreements.
“We love our brothers and sisters from the Republic of Azerbaijan. We consider a part of ourselves. We wish for the success, dignity and prosperity of all our dear friends,” the president asserted.
He emphasized that deepening bilateral relations between Iran and Azerbaijan could broaden cooperation within regional and international organizations. This will allow both countries to strengthen their economic strength and provide valuable access to local knowledge, innovation and technology.
When asked about the prospect of expanding Iran’s ties with Azabaijan, the president said Tehran is ready to share his experiences and achievements with Baku.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in a variety of areas, including academia, healthcare, industry, trade, investment, culture, sports, and the arts, to promote mutual growth and understanding.
Pezeshkian emphasized that political dialogue between the two countries is essential to ensuring a good and peaceful life for their people, adding that as neighbours, Iran and Azerbaijan can support each other in a wide range of sectors.
He expressed his joy in visiting Azerbaijan, expressing his hope that his discussion with his Azerbaijan counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, and meetings of officials from both countries would contribute to strengthening bilateral relations.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of the railway linking Iran with Azerbaijan, President Pezeshkian said the transport corridor would significantly strengthen trade, economic and cultural ties between the two countries. He said that Azerbaijan can serve as an important route of passage between Iran and Russia, while Iran can serve as an important transport for Azerbaijani goods for the global market through the Persian Gulf.
He also pointed out the possibilities of a joint clean energy project along the Arras River, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in the development of solar and wind energy resources.
Tackling the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Iranian president affirmed that the Islamic Republic is consistently supporting the rights of its neighbors and committed to promoting peaceful coexistence.
Regarding the dispute over the Zangezur corridor, Pezeshkian emphasized the need to respect the integrity of the territory. He argued that the border and territorial issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia can be resolved through political and trade relations established on the basis of mutual respect for the rights of each side.
The President also emphasized the important importance of securing a road connecting Naktiban with Azerbaijan via Iran, and expressed his hope that by completing this corridor, existing connectivity challenges will be solved.
MP/President