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28 janvier 2005

(Azernews) President Ilham Aliyev’s long-awaited visit to Tehran represents a particular importance in terms of regional security and major economic projects between the two countries. Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said in his meeting with Aliyev on Monday that Iran is interested in expanding ties with Azerbaijan in all areas. He said the Azerbaijani President is one of the few officials whose visit is closely followed by the Iranian media and public.

"I have been looking forward to this visit and this finally came true", President Aliyev said in reply. He gave a high assessment to the Azerbaijan-Iran relations and voiced confidence that the documents to be signed will be beneficial.

Aliyev told a press conference following the meeting that bilateral relations are developing rapidly and their current level meets the two countries’ interests. He also pointed out that there is a potential to further strengthen the ties in an efficient manner.

Khatami said with regard to the Upper Garabagh conflict that Iran supports Azerbaijan’s stance.

"Our position is clear and Iran is one of the very few countries that support Azerbaijan’s position. We support a conflict resolution not by force but through talks and diplomacy."

Khatami also said Iran is ready to cooperate with the conflicting sides in resolving the Garabagh problem. In reply to a question about reasons for Iran’s expressing a firm position on the Palestine issue but not on the Garabagh problem, Khatami said he condemns occupation by any country.

"Israel has completely occupied the Palestine territory . However, unlike Israel, Armenia has not occupied a large portion of Azerbaijan’ land."

President Aliyev’s Tuesday meetings with the chairman of the Iranian Islamic Council Assembly Haddad Adil and chairman of the State Advisory Council, Iran’s former President Alakbar Hashimi Rafsanjani focused on the Upper Garabagh conflict.

"Azerbaijan’s biggest problem is the Armenian aggression," said President Aliyev, expressing his disappointment with the fact that peace talks have been fruitless so far. The President also voiced his satisfaction with the approach of regional countries, including Iran, to the conflict settlement issue. He said, however, that "regional countries should be more actively involved in the conflict resolution." Afterwards, President Aliyev had a meeting with Iran’s high religious leader Ali Khamnei, who remarkably spoke Azeri.

Khamnei stated that certain countries are opposed to the Iran-Azerbaijan friendship.

"We will always be friendly neighboring countries regardless of what happens around the world." President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan, as a sovereign country, pursues an independent policy. Developing relations with Iran meets Azerbaijan’s interests and no force may impede this, he said.

On the same day, President Aliyev visited the Khodro automobile plant. The leadership of the plant, which produces small and large buses along with Mercedes and Peugeot cars, presented a ’Samand’ car to the Azerbaijani President.

Aliyev also met with Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani and visited the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran. On Wednesday, the President will hold another meeting with Khatami to be followed by signing of about 10 documents covering the political, economic, transport, energy and cultural fields.

A $1 million grant to be allocated by Iran will be spent on building the Shahtakhti-Poldashti bridge over the Araz River in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Iran also plans to allot $4 million in loans for the construction of the Astara-Baku highway.

President Aliyev will wrap up his visit to Iran after visiting Azerbaijan’s Chief Consulate in Tabriz.