Azerbaijani official stresses expansion of relations with Iran
Baku, March 18, IRNA - Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social
and Political Department Chief Ali Hasanov stressed Saturday on
expansion of relations with Iran, adding that nothing can hurt good
relations between the two neighboring countries.
`Iran and Azerbaijan are neighboring countries with common history and
culture,' he told reporters.
The information publicized by the Azerbaijani Ministry of National
Security is absolutely not an action directed against the Iranian
state, Azerbaijani presidential administration social and political
department chief noted.
He was expressing his attitude toward detention in Azerbaijan of a
group of people accused of espionage activity against an Iranian
revolutionary organization.
The official believes it will not have a negative impact on the
Iranian-Azerbaijani inter-state relations.
'Azerbijan Republic would try to keep good relations with Iran and
prevent the use of its territory against other states including Iran'
he noted.
At the same time Hasanov stressed that sometimes, both in Iran and
Azerbaijan, the various circles, some members of society take steps
affecting the relations between the two countries. He called materials
of some journalists as an example of such activities.
Following a statement released by Azerbaijan Republic Security
Ministry in which an Iranian revolutionary organization has been
accused, the ambassador of that country was summoned to Foreign
Ministry.
Azerbaijan Republic Ambassador to Tehran Javanshir Akhundov received
Iran's protest to his government.
In the meeting, the accusations were rejected and it was said that the
Azerbaijan Republic action was in contradiction with agreement between
foreign ministers of both countries on the sidelines of Nakhchivan
meeting, around 10 days ago, as well as last week agreement between
Defense Ministers of the two countries.
It was also said that the Zionist regime is trying to charge similar
accusations against Iran in different countries.
The ambassador was also told that Iranian officials are strongly
dissatisfied that Azerbaijan Republic has entered into this Zionist
game.
Akhundov declared his country's political intention to expand ties
with Iran and said that he will convey Iran's reaction to his
government.
This week as a result of a special operation conducted by the
Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security, a group of 22 individuals
was revealed and detained. It is accused of espionage activity against
Azerbaijan on the instructions of an Iranian revolutionary
organization.
Iran has an embassy in Baku and a consulate-general in the autonomous
republic of Nakhichevan. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tehran and a
consulate-general in Tabriz.
Iran and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since the latter's
independence from the former Soviet Union. The two countries have a
majority Shia population and share many cultural commonalities.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has made extensive mediation efforts to
settle the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh.
9191**1771
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80044506
Baku, March 18, IRNA - Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social
and Political Department Chief Ali Hasanov stressed Saturday on
expansion of relations with Iran, adding that nothing can hurt good
relations between the two neighboring countries.
`Iran and Azerbaijan are neighboring countries with common history and
culture,' he told reporters.
The information publicized by the Azerbaijani Ministry of National
Security is absolutely not an action directed against the Iranian
state, Azerbaijani presidential administration social and political
department chief noted.
He was expressing his attitude toward detention in Azerbaijan of a
group of people accused of espionage activity against an Iranian
revolutionary organization.
The official believes it will not have a negative impact on the
Iranian-Azerbaijani inter-state relations.
'Azerbijan Republic would try to keep good relations with Iran and
prevent the use of its territory against other states including Iran'
he noted.
At the same time Hasanov stressed that sometimes, both in Iran and
Azerbaijan, the various circles, some members of society take steps
affecting the relations between the two countries. He called materials
of some journalists as an example of such activities.
Following a statement released by Azerbaijan Republic Security
Ministry in which an Iranian revolutionary organization has been
accused, the ambassador of that country was summoned to Foreign
Ministry.
Azerbaijan Republic Ambassador to Tehran Javanshir Akhundov received
Iran's protest to his government.
In the meeting, the accusations were rejected and it was said that the
Azerbaijan Republic action was in contradiction with agreement between
foreign ministers of both countries on the sidelines of Nakhchivan
meeting, around 10 days ago, as well as last week agreement between
Defense Ministers of the two countries.
It was also said that the Zionist regime is trying to charge similar
accusations against Iran in different countries.
The ambassador was also told that Iranian officials are strongly
dissatisfied that Azerbaijan Republic has entered into this Zionist
game.
Akhundov declared his country's political intention to expand ties
with Iran and said that he will convey Iran's reaction to his
government.
This week as a result of a special operation conducted by the
Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security, a group of 22 individuals
was revealed and detained. It is accused of espionage activity against
Azerbaijan on the instructions of an Iranian revolutionary
organization.
Iran has an embassy in Baku and a consulate-general in the autonomous
republic of Nakhichevan. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tehran and a
consulate-general in Tabriz.
Iran and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since the latter's
independence from the former Soviet Union. The two countries have a
majority Shia population and share many cultural commonalities.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has made extensive mediation efforts to
settle the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh.
9191**1771
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80044506