Mr. Ilham Aliyev is visiting Tehran and was received by President Rouhani on Tuesday morning. They talked to the press after bilateral meeting where they discussed joint economic commission, Caspian Sea energy sources and common interests in the sea, and other economic issues including railroad connecting two port cities of both countries in the Caspian Sea.
Rouhani welcomed Aliyev’s visit to Tehran as a good omen since it coincided with ‘historic event’ where nation would participate in Parliament elections; it also almost coincided with and was a prologue to the (Nowruz) Persian new year which both nations had in common as important festival of the historic proportions and cultural common elements.
“We are now pleased to have Mr. Aliyev in Tehran in times post-JCPOA and post-sanctions where both countries would discuss bilateral trade with more scope in mind; the joint economic commission has been active in recent two years with 11 MoU of cooperation ; we discussed with Mr. President past meetings between two countries and come to a definitive conclusion. On north-south corridor and connection of two ports in the Caspian Sea, we will witness important progress in the spring of 2016,” he told the press.
“On oil and gas and joint extraction of resources of the Caspian Sea, we had constructive dialogue; we brought to a level of convergence bilateral views in many issues; our relations trace back to history of common cultural and political past when ethnic groups lived in symbiosis for centuries,” Rouhani added.
Ilham Aliyev, for his part, said that bilateral relations hinged upon common religious and cultural connections of the past, and “today, these relations has been strategic as well.”
“In international community, both countries supported each other and has very similar positions in diverse issues; there is a good and promising future for trade between Iran and Republic of Azerbaijan. Today, we discussed with President Rouhani regional development as well as terrorism; we are happy that the US and Russia had agreed on ‘cessation of hostilities’ to be implemented upcoming weekend,”Aiyev emphasized. “With Syrian crisis, we have emphasized upon a ceasefire ahead of any political initiative to solve the crisis, and that Syrian people should decide on their own future. Iran and Republic of Azerbaijan have common positions on this issue.”
Aliyev turned to yet another issue of bilateral scope; “both countries should respect national sovereignty and avoid interfering in each other’s internal affairs. If all countries avoid interference, no war would be come across,” he suggested.
“Agreements signed will transform bilateral relations to new levels and will cast light to the future path. On north-south corridor we took positive steps; we have a mission to work out our railroad up to borders with Iran by end of 2016; Caspian Sea will be a source of our wealth as well as peace and stability for all. Neighboring countries could export their oil products through pipeline crossing the sea,” Aliyev concluded.
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