Azerbaijan, Iran discuss enhancing consular services, citizen protection

The Azerbaijani and Iranian foreign ministries held a new round of consular consultations on September 23 in the Azerbaijani capital. 

The talks focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in consular affairs and addressing issues related to the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms, Caliber.Az reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Emil Safarov, Head of the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Iranian side was represented by Alireza Mahmudi, Head of the Consular Department of Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

During the consultations, the Iranian delegation met with Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Samir Sharifov. Both sides exchanged views on the current state of cooperation between the two nations, discussing steps to further develop relations.

Representatives from key Azerbaijani institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor General’s Office, State Customs Committee, and State Border Service, were also in attendance.

Key topics discussed included ways to improve consular services, protect the rights of Azerbaijani and Iranian citizens abroad, and provide necessary consular and legal aid to those in need. Additionally, both sides reviewed the processes for extraditing internationally wanted individuals and transferring convicted persons to their home countries to complete their sentences.

Cooperation between the internal affairs, border, and customs agencies of both countries was also a point of discussion, signalling a broader effort to enhance collaboration in law enforcement and border security matters.