- You have been recently appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan. What are your priorities for the development of Iran-Azerbaijan ties?

- Former ambassador Mohsen Pak Ayeen did a lot for bilateral ties to develop. We have a number of agreements on bilateral relations and future plans. A number more were signed during the latest meeting of the two countries’ presidents. As an ambassador, it’s my duty to do my part for these agreements to be actually implemented. One agreement has to do with the Astara-Astara railway line, which I think is the most important project not only for the time being, but also for decades to come. This is a new corridor connected the South to the North. The railway will allow products to be transported in a short time. So my biggest duty is its implementation.

Another project is Astara-Rasht railway. We aim to make it a common railway. Our third project is about the construction of a pharmaceutical factory. The Iranian and Azerbaijani presidents in their last meeting agreed to construct a pharmaceutical factory in Pirallahi which will meet medical demands of both countries. The fourth project is about the construction of a car factory. Efforts are ongoing in Neftchala to construct a join car factory. The decision is, Azerbaijan will construct the factory and Iran will begin manufacturing cars. Another project is the construction of a hospital. Tabriz governor Jabbarzadeh has been here a few times and had discussions. The presidents too have come to agreement. Under the agreement, Tabriz doctors will come and serve Azerbaijani people. While people are heading to Ardabil, Esfahan, Tabriz, etc. for treatment, after this project is implemented the sides will have been reversed. That is, doctors will come here. We have already finished a part of this project.

What do you think of political relations between the two countries?

- I think there is no problem between our countries in the political area. But bilateral ties have to be protected. There are some within Azerbaijan and Iran, as well as from the region, who are displeased with developing bilateral ties between the two countries. What’s important is that we should take into account each other’s position. Iran considers Azerbaijan a close neighbor and a brotherly country and does it utmost to help these ties develop further. Azerbaijan thinks the same way. The responsibility of protecting these ties is upon me, my colleagues in the embassy, and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran.

Our cultural ties are at good level too. However, we want a higher level. We have plans to develop ties in the area of media. There is huge potential for development of ties in the area of film-making, music, etc. Both countries are part of the Middle East culture. Development of relations could be beneficial to both countries.

Of course, it’s not always possible to develop ties as there are growing demands. Our current relations are good, but why not try to make it better?

- How’re the preparations for the Astara-Astara and Rasht-Astara railway lines going so far?

- Astara-Astara railway is planned to be commissioned by the end of 2016. Of course, it may occur a little sooner or a later. The construction of Rasht-Astara railway may take a little longer. Firstly, the length of this railway is 160-170 km. Thus, its construction may take a long time. Secondly, the railway line is passing through farms and houses of the people. It takes time to talk with them to prevent any discontent.

- A trilateral summit was established between Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia. When will the next meeting (both at the level of presidents and ministers) take place? When will the transport of goods be available through Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia corridor? In what stage is the process?

- The next meeting of Azerbaijan-Iran joint intergovernmental economic commission will be held in Baku on November 27-28. The meeting of foreign ministers for making preparations for the meeting of presidents may be discussed in this meeting. However, it’s known that the meeting will be held in Iran following Novruz holiday. The date and time will be revealed later.

There is another format between Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey, but meetings are not held in this format for a long time. Is a meeting expected in the near future within this format? Has this format failed?

- Such meetings will be held. Indeed, regular meetings are producing better results. Discussions have been held. We aim to hold such meetings again. However, there is no exact information about it.


Sometimes, the importance of Iran’s involvement in the negotiations on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is highlighted. How can Iran contribute to the conflict’s settlement?

- Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi is the co-chairman of the Iranian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission. He has made 49 visits to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh during the Karabakh war to contribute to the conflict’s settlement and the completion of the war. He did great work at that time. But later, a ceasefire agreement was signed. The OSCE Minsk Group was established to deal with the settlement of the conflict. Iran is not represented in the Minsk Group.

However, Iran is ready to do its utmost to help settle the conflict. This war is not in favor of this region. There is no doubt that the occupation affects the stability in the region. We want to limit our borders to peace. Iran is ready to do its best for the Azerbaijani people and wants it neighbor to live conveniently. Iran stands ready to respond positively to any request of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan needs to ask it. There were some contacts during the presidency of former President Heydar Aliyev and in the first years of Ilham Aliyev’s presidency. Iran made some initiatives. We think that foreign countries would never understand the region’s concern well. They are far from the region, being unaware of the problem in it. However, we want the Minsk Group to make progress as soon as possible. We wish them to end this mission. They say the issue will be solved in a year, whereas so many years have passed. The security and stability of the region is very important. We wish all to cooperate with each other in the region. Azerbaijan is historically very dear to us. Its development is very important for us.

Iran has already introduces a visa-free regime with Azerbaijan. And Azerbaijan is also expected to take certain steps to simplify the visa regime. How is the process going on?

- Azerbaijan is working on the facilitation of the visa-regime. However, we hope Azerbaijan will soon introduce a visa-free regime with Iran. There is a free-visa regime for the citizens of Azerbaijan, who are willing to travel to Iran.

Economic and political ties between Iran and Azerbaijan are an example for other countries. The Azerbaijani and Iranian presidents have met seven times in a short time. It is a very rare case between two other countries.

The abovementioned projects show Iran is keen on the development of relations with Azerbaijan. My job is to contribute to development of relations. You are well aware of the situation in the region. Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya are experiencing wars. However, Azerbaijani-Iranian borders are the borders of tranquility. This is the position of the leadership of the two countries. You see, 95 percent of Syria`s infrastructure has been destroyed. Buildings, roads, bridges, factories, power and water lines are in irreparable condition. Azerbaijan and Iran are beyond it. The Azerbaijani side stated that it cannot interfere in the Syrian issue, as people must choose their leader themselves. However, other countries interfered in this issue, created chaos in the region. They destroyed Afghanistan, but planted no tree. The number of children losing their families, women losing their husbands and mothers losing their children increased. The situation is like this in Syria, Iraq and Bahrain. There is no more peace or prosperity in Libya. This country was once rich in oil resources. Now, the people are living in poverty. The Americans came and destroyed everything.

- Is any high-level visit planned between Iran and Azerbaijan by the end of this year?

- As I mentioned, Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, co-chairman of Iranian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission Mahmoud Vaezi will arrive in Azerbaijan after 11 days. The meeting of the commission will be held in Baku. He will meet with Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev. They will visit Nakhchivan and the border lines. They will review the construction of Ordubad-Maraza system and hydro-electric power station. The visit will last three days.

/APA/

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