President Aliyev: Primary goal to raise Azerbaijani-Iranian ties higher level Full Speech / PHOTO

On April 28, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan warmly welcomed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, underlining the primary goal of their cooperation: to elevate Azerbaijani-Iranian relations to new heights.

In a joint press conference, Aliyev emphasised the longstanding friendship between the two nations and outlined the strategic steps being taken to strengthen ties, focusing on regional security, multilateral cooperation, and boosting trade and cultural exchanges, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azertag. 

The President of Azerbaijan made the statement first.

Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear Mr. President.

Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Mr. President, I would like to once again sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan. Welcome to Azerbaijan! I am sure that your visit will make a valuable contribution to the development of Azerbaijani-Iranian friendly and fraternal relations.

Our peoples have lived in a friendly and fraternal atmosphere for centuries. Our interstate relations are developing on this solid foundation today. The official visit of the Iranian President to Azerbaijan is a manifestation of the high level of our relations.

During our talks and exchange of views earlier today, we talked about many important issues, expressed our views and further reaffirmed the strategic relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. We expressed our views on all issues in a sincere atmosphere. The key thing is that both sides are and should be working to develop Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. The arrival of the honorable President in Azerbaijan with a large delegation and the signing of a number of important documents today, including the document signed at the presidential level, once again demonstrates our goodwill and shows that we are trying to become closer to each other in all directions.

We traditionally support each other within international organizations. We exchanged views on this today and discussed future frameworks for cooperation. Whether it is the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, ECO, the Non-Aligned Movement or any other organization, our representatives always stand by each other.

We are working on a broad agenda today. Regional security plays an important role here, and we exchanged views on this. At the same time, there are excellent conditions for multilateral cooperation. Of course, specific instructions have been given regarding the development of our trade relations. The meeting with the participation of delegations was also very productive. At the first stage, the honorable President and I exchanged views during a one-on-one and limited format meeting. In other words, our goal, our primary goal is to raise Azerbaijani-Iranian interstate relations to a higher level. For this reason, I repeat, appropriate instructions have been given, and I am confident that these instructions will be implemented.

Before the President's visit, we maintained very active contacts, our high-ranking officials made mutual visits both in preparation for the President's visit and for the implementation of specific projects. I would like to express my gratitude to all the officials who contributed to this work. The visit was indeed very well prepared. Very good documents were drawn up. I am sure that the decisions made will lead our relations on an upward trajectory for many years to come.

Today, we discussed trilateral cooperation projects in detail as well. Among them, of course, the North-South transport corridor occupies a special place. This project will bring great benefits to all the countries involved in it. Azerbaijan has implemented all the necessary infrastructure projects for the operation of this transport corridor on its territory. Currently, we are simply expanding our transport capabilities and infrastructure, taking into account the increased cargo volume. Whether it is seaports, railways or automobile transport, we have launched large investment projects in all these directions to receive and transmit the expected large volumes of cargo.

At the same time, we have given specific instructions for the continuation of traditional friendly relations in the humanitarian and cultural spheres. We have determined that mutual days of culture were last held eight years ago and, based on a joint decision, mutual days of culture will be held in the near future. Our peoples have a common history. Our culture is also common. We have lived in the same place for centuries, within the framework of a single state. In other words, our kinship is also very extensive. Today, as two independent states, we play an important role in our region. The resolution of regional issues by countries of the region is also the opinion and policy of both sides.

I have no doubt that this visit will play a very important role in the development of our relations. We were looking forward to President Pezeshkian’s visit. We are very sorry that the tragedy that occurred in Iran a few days ago resulted in human losses. Once again, we express our condolences to the brotherly Iranian people. May Allah have mercy on those who died and grant recovery to those injured. Despite this tragedy, President Pezeshkian is making his visit to Azerbaijan. We appreciate this very much. May Allah protect our peoples from such troubles. May there always be peace and tranquility in our region, so that both countries can make their efforts in this direction. In any case, in the bilateral format, the situation in the region, the sustainability of peace, ensuring security, and principles such as the sovereignty, territorial integrity of countries, and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries were also prioritized.

I would like to say “Welcome!” to President Pezeshkian again. I would also like to express my gratitude for accepting my invitation to visit Azerbaijan. I would also like to say “Welcome!” to all our guests who are here along with Mr. President. I am sure that your visit will be successful and the results will be very good. Thank you.

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Then, the President of Iran made the statement.