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Azerbaijan and Iran are working very successfully within the framework of international organizations, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on April 9, while on a state visit to Tehran.
The Azerbaijani Head of State arrived in Iran earlier Wednesday.
“Our activities within the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the Non-Aligned Movement have been very successful,” President Aliyev said during a press conference.
He also expressed his gratitude to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for the invitation and hospitality.
“I am very happy to be in fraternal Iran. I am sure that my visit to Iran will be an important step towards the development of ties between Iran and Azerbaijan. Mr. President, taking this opportunity, I want to officially invite you to visit Azerbaijan at a convenient time,” President Aliyev said.
The Azerbaijani president also stressed that this is his third official visit to Iran.
“The number of visits is an indicator itself. We want our relations to develop successfully in all areas, and there are currently excellent opportunities to achieve this goal,” Aliyev emphasized.
“Earlier this year, I met with Mr. President Rouhani in Davos. And today, our political dialogue is continuing in Iran. Today we have thoroughly and sincerely discussed various aspects of our bilateral relations.”
President Aliyev also stressed that Iran’s support is very important in the matter of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, which is the most painful problem for Azerbaijan.
“This conflict must be solved on the basis of four UN Security Council resolutions. Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity must be restored. Iran’s position with regard to this conflict is based on justice and international principles, and we are grateful for this position,” the Azerbaijani president stressed.
President Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s territories, recognized by the international community, have been under occupation for many years.
“As a result of this occupation over one million people became refugees and internally displaced persons in their native lands. An ethnic cleansing policy was conducted against our people. Armenians committed the Khojaly genocide against Azerbaijanis. Our historical and religious monuments in the occupied lands were destroyed by Armenians,” the Azerbaijani president said.
He went on to add that rapid settlement of the conflict on the basis of international law would have brought great benefit for the region.
President Aliyev also said Azerbaijan and Iran exchanged views on co-operation in other areas.
“There are excellent opportunities in the areas of economy and investment making. The cooperation in the energy sector is successful, and the agreement signed today for the construction of Ordubad and Marazad hydroelectric power plants will further strengthen this cooperation,” Aliyev said.
The Azerbaijani president went on to add that there are great opportunities for cooperation in the oil and gas sector as well.
“At the same time, we will be looking for additional ways to enhance cooperation in the military sphere. Today our views on cooperation in the areas of high technology and information and communication technology are unambiguous and they coincide. Naturally, the cooperation in the humanitarian and cultural spheres is of special significance. Our history, culture and historical heritage are very valuable for our peoples,” he said.
President Aliyev stressed that the peoples of both countries have lived and created together for centuries.
“Our peoples are bound by deep historical and cultural ties. The Iranian-Azerbaijani relations are today built on this solid foundation. I am sure that we will achieve all the set tasks, and will bring the Iranian-Azerbaijani relations to even higher level with our joint efforts,” President Aliyev said.
Trend.az
