Mohsun Pak Ain, Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan stated in his interview to virtualaz.org. Furthermore, ambassador put emphasis on the friendly ties and the development of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran.

Iranian ambassador made diplomatic comments on the Nardaran incidents, Islam in the southern regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and protests in Southern Azerbaijan.

Azvision.az presents the interviews with the ambassador in English.

- Today in Azerbaijan, many experts accuse Iran of supporting radical Islamist groups, particularly in light of recent incidents in Nardaran. What can you say about this?

- Iran never supported any anti-Azerbaijan organizations. We have an excellent fraternal relationship with Azerbaijan. In this regard, the fact that we support any other organization against Azerbaijan is groundless. We do not have any link with Nardaran incidents. We have an Iranian Cultural Centre in Baku which is headed by Azerbaijani person, Ibrahim Ibrahim. We carry out cultural and humanitarian programs through this center.


- What are the current level of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan?

- The relations between our countries are developing. Thanks to Allah, there is no problem today. Both Iran and Azerbaijan can extend mutual cooperation and friendly relationship.

Currently, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran is about 500 million euros. However, this is not ultimate limit and both sides are going to increase it. We consider joint projects to build plants for the production of cars, medicine and petrochemical products. I must note that 1 million people travel from Azerbaijan to Iran each year. It indicates our strong and durable relationship.


- However, you can admit that there are some incidents that overshadow the relationship between our countries. For instance, Iranian TV has recently humiliated Azerbaijanis.

- This problem has found its solution, and I don`t think we need to get back to it. One of the TV channels has made a small mistake which has nothing to do with the official policy of Tehran. The government and the broadcaster has apologized to Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijani’s rights are not violated in Iran and we protect their interests. The people talk about the violation of Azerbaijani’s rights tend to escalate the situation. In fact, Azerbaijanis are well represented in the parliament and in the government.


- Karabakh problem has not found any solution, yet. Can Iran help to solve this problem?

- Iran supports peace talks and negotiations between Azerbaijan and Yerevan.


- But Iran has a friendly relationship with Armenia…

- Iran has always maintained good relations with its neighbor countries. However, our relationship with Azerbaijan are much deeper than with Armenia. We do not support Armenia. We do hope that the Karabakh conflict will be solved peacefully and peace will be established in the region.


- We talk about the peace in the region. Iran is said to support Bashar Asad regime in Syria.

- It is not right. We respect the Syrian people, who elected Assad their president. We do not support either of the opposing forces in the country. We hope for peace in Syria. Regime change should be carried out in terms of peace means and elections. If Syrian people elect another government, Iran will be ready to work with the new government.


- Mr. Ambassador, we would like to know your position on the unexpected conflict between Russia and Turkey related the downed Russian warplane…

- I guess that further deterioration of the relationship between Russia and Turkey is inpermissible. Friendly relationship among neighbor countries are highly important for Iran. In this manner, Iran supports the elimination of the Syrian crisis. If this crisis lasts, it will adversely affect other countries.

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