TEHRAN – Iranian President Masudo Pezeshkian ended his one-day visit to Azerbaijan on Monday and recited an important step towards energizing and strengthening relations between the two neighbouring countries.
The visit was characterized by official welcome, high-level meetings and signing major cooperation agreements, demonstrating a common commitment to regional cooperation and strengthening mutual prosperity.
President Pezeshkian was greeted by Azerbaijan’s first deputy prime minister, Prime Minister Yagb Eibov and Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov on his arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. He was then officially welcomed by President Azerbaijani, President Ilham Aliyev, at the Zagurba Presidential Palace.
At a private bilateral meeting where debate between Iran and the Azerbaijani delegation continued, President Pezeshkian emphasized the deep-rooted historical, cultural and family ties between Iran and the people of Azerbaijani. He said these connections form the foundation of a strategic pathway for expanding regional cooperation. He also repeated the warm greetings of the leader of the Islamic Revolution, repeated Iran’s support for the integrity of Azerbaijan’s territory, and declared that the Karabakh region was an inseparable part of Azerbaijan.
“We hope that this visit, along with the agreement reached in previous expert-level consultations, marks the beginning of great progress in strengthening relations between the two countries,” said President Pezeschkian.
President Aliyev repeatedly expressed his sentiment, highlighting the strategic importance of the relationship and expressing confidence that the visit would further strengthen bilateral cooperation. “The people of both of our countries have enjoyed friendly relations for a long time, and our intergovernmental connections are firmly based on this foundation,” he said.
The visit culminates in the signing of seven cooperative documents and demonstrates a common commitment to fostering comprehensive cooperation across different sectors. These included memorandums of understanding in areas such as political consultation, transportation, cultural exchange, health, media and investment cooperation.
At a joint press conference, President Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude to Azeri’s counterparts for the hospitality he was given, emphasizing the possibility that Iran and Azerbaijan could cooperate in establishing peace and security in the region and solving problems through mutual cooperation. “We can work together in all possible areas,” he asserted. He further stated that the signed contracts were strategic and important, and committed to their full implementation.
President Aliyev has emphasized the strategic importance of relations and agreed to work towards deepening relations across all sectors.
The agenda also includes plans for President Pezeshkian to join a joint business meeting with President Aliyev to engage in the Iranian diaspora in Azerbaijan, further strengthening people-to-people connections between the two countries.
President Pezeshkian’s trip to Baku represents a strategic milestone in Iran’s foreign policy, aimed at promoting stronger relations with its north neighbours and promoting regional stability and prosperity. Both leaders expressed optimism about the future of Iran-Azabaijan relations and their potential to contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous Western Asia. President Pezeshkian addressed Aliyev as “brothers” through their engagement.