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Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA, Iran
May 31 2013
Tehran-Baku ties strategic, with positive future outlook - envoy
Baku, May 31: IRI envoy to Azerbaijan Rep referring to Iran-Azerbaijan
historical ties, shared religious-cultural values, economic factors
like commerce ties, communication networks, and goods and energy
transit, termed bilateral ties as strategic with positive future.
According to IRNA, Iran's Ambassador Mohsen Paka'in made the comment
here on Friday [31 May] in an interview with Azerbaijan's Ollaylar
daily, pointing out that yet, the two countries' relations get
subjected to ups and downs at times, which are managed thanks to the
two countries' officials' wise conduct.
He added: "During the past months constructive and trust building
negotiations between the two countries' presidents and foreign
ministers, as well as the recent visit of the Head of Azerbaijan
Republic National Security Council Ramiz Mahdiev and an Azeri
delegation headed by the Head of Caucasus Muslims Office Sheykh
ol-Islam Pashazadeh have led to new dynamism aimed at boosting
bilateral relations."
Paka'in said: "I believe the Islamic Republic of Iran and Azerbaijan
Republic have lots of useful potentials for expansion of bilateral
ties, recognition of which can lead to proximity of the two sides and
turn the two countries into strategic partners."
Iran's Ambassador to Baku referred to the role and progressing status
of Iran in the world and the region, as well as Azerbaijan Republic's
wise recognition of this point, noting that the active presence of
Iran in crisis solving in Karabachos is to the benefit of promoting
peace and stability in the region.
He reiterated: "The Islamic Republic of Iran, too, considers
Azerbaijan Republic an important country in the region which is a gate
towards the Caucasus region countries, while in commerce, goods and
energy transit, too, keeping in mind having shared land and sea
boarders, we are interested in strengthening ties with Baku."
He said that satisfactory relations between Tehran and Baku can lead
to regional stability and balance and play an important role in
preservation of peace and stability inside both countries.
In response to a question on the current level of Iran-Azerbaijan
economic ties, and the unused potentials for further improving them,
Paka'in said: "In economic field the activation of the two countries'
Joint Economic commission has both regulated and expanded the two
countries' cooperation. In trade field, too, we have cooperation in
goods and energy transit field."
The IRI ambassador to Baku said that the annual volume of official
trade between the two counties is now over 500 million US dollars,
adding: "If we wish to add the transactions between the two countries'
boarder dwellers, that figure would be doubled to around one billion
dollars, which is of course not satisfactory, and can grow thanks to
the already adopted measures."
He referred to 30 per cent growth last year in economic transactions
between Iran and Azerbaijan Republic, adding: "Yet, the potential for
these two friendly neighbouring countries' trade ties is much higher
than that and taking advantage of the existing potentials between the
two countries must still be kept in mind, until Azerbaijan Republic
would become one of the Islamic Republic of Iran's main trade
partners.
Paka'in said: "We get Azerbaijan's gas and swap it to Naxcivan. In the
field of goods transit, to, Iran is the safest, closest, and most
economic routs for the entire regional countries, including Azerbaijan
Republic." The Iranian railways, roads, and sea routs are taken
advantage of in this field. In commerce and energy fields, too, we
have maximum cooperation."
Pointing out that the deputy heads of the two countries' customs had a
meeting recently, followed by regular monthly meetings between the
managing directors of the Iranian and Azerbaijani customs
organizations, emphasizing: "The customs and transit difficulties have
decreased and facilities for traffic of goods and passengers have
increased and these moves have positively affected our bilateral
trade, although there is still a way to be paved before achieving the
satisfactory status."
Asked bout the moves made for expansion of bilateral cultural ties and
the future plans for the purpose, the Iranian ambassador said:
"Keeping in mind the numerous cultural commonalties between the two
countries, the culture weeks of Iran and Azerbaijan Republic have been
held in Tehran and Baku and the two countries' artists have close
relations with each other, particularly in cinema, theatre, miniature,
painting, and calligraphy fields, and Azerbaijan Culture Week is
therefore, scheduled to be held in Tehran this week."
Paka'in said: "In order to strengthen the two nations' relations, we
unilaterally lifted the visa regime for Azeri citizens and this led to
greater relations between the two nations and boosting tourism both
for those who are interested in visiting Iran and for those who want
to go to our country pilgrimage or medical purposes."
He added: "The two countries' leaders are in favour of expanding
friendly ties and their will must be implemented in other levels. Of
course, the media, as an influential means on public opinion and on
politicians, can play a decisive role in this respect."
The Azeri daily reporter asked what role Iran can play in solving the
Karabachos crisis, keeping in mind Tehran's often repeated proposals
for meddling in the dispute.
Paka'in emphasized that the Karabachos dispute is a 20 year crisis and
the Azerbaijan and Armenia republics have chosen the Minsk Group
mechanism for the purpose, not yielding to any other solution.
He added: "I believe the Minsk Group is not neutral in this dispute
and that is the reason why the efforts made aimed at solving the
Karabachos dispute have thus far been unsuccessful."
The Iranian envoy said: "The policy of Minsk Group is elongating this
dispute and sometimes it has even stated that solving the matter is in
need of another two decades, which is neither to the benefit of
Azerbaijan Republic, nor to the benefit of regional security. I
believe, the regional countries must get involved in this issue,
because the regional countries have strong incentives for solving this
crisis."
He said that entry of the Islamic Cooperation Organization to the
matter, too, can be useful, adding: "Iran, as the rotating head of the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and an active member of the OIC is ready
for meddling and is also ready for offering assistance aimed at
putting an end to the engagements and return to the original status,
in which respecting the boarder lines and ending the engagements would
be in mind. The Karabachos region has created a lingeringarmed
engagement and enmity zone near our boarders and it is quite natural
for us to be worried about the existence of tension in this region and
to offer assistance, if we can."
In response to a question on Iran and Azerbaijan cooperation in the
international scene, the Iranian ambassador said: "Fortunately, there
are fruitful relations and cooperation between the two countries,
particularly at the UN, the OIC, the ECO, and the NAM.
"I believe Azerbaijan Republic would maintain its strategic status in
the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, because the
Iranian government favours the advancement and development of
Azerbaijan and the two countries' relations can grow without being
influenced by the other countries, to secure the long term interests
of both sides."
In response to Ollaylar daily's question on the effect of the sanction
on the Iranian economy, he said: "The main reason for imposing the
sanctions against Iran is a few countries' opposition against the
peaceful nuclear programme of Iran.
"The Iranian nuclear programme is pursued with peaceful incentives and
aimed at economic development of the country. The International Atomic
Energy Agency has conducted the most and strongest series of
inspections in its entire history, including over 100 unannounced
inspections and over 4,000 person/day inspections in Iran."
Paka'in added: "The agency has often announced that there is no reason
for believing that even one gram of radioactive material to prove that
Iran has deviated towards manufacturing atomic bombs. Of course, our
enemies have tried to aggrandize the sanctions' issue and to tell lies
about their exclusive relation with our nuclear programme, while the
sanctions started as of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, when no
nuclear issue existed. The sanctions are nothing new and they have
existed as of the victory of the revolution, but our system has
throughout the past 33 years kept on progressing constantly."
Paka'in added: "We are a nuclear power today, enjoy very high military
power, have launched satellites to outer space, are the top medically
advanced country in the region, and enjoy very high and unique
scientific growth rate, and all these achievements have been gained in
the course of the imposed sanctions against us. These sanctions are in
fact an undeclared war against a nation, but by grace of God the
enemies will be defeated by the Iranian nation in this war, as well."
He said that the emerged difficulties due to the sanctions are quite
natural, arguing: "This cannot be denied, but due to the economic
potentials, particularly in energy field in our country, and the
Iranian nation's will to defend their Islamic Revolution, the holy
Islam, and their own national interests, we have resisted and managed
the sanctions, having regular relations with every country in the
world. Therefore, the western imposed sanctions would not urge the
Islamic Republic of Iran to abandon its objectives and ideals."
May 31 2013
Tehran-Baku ties strategic, with positive future outlook - envoy
Baku, May 31: IRI envoy to Azerbaijan Rep referring to Iran-Azerbaijan
historical ties, shared religious-cultural values, economic factors
like commerce ties, communication networks, and goods and energy
transit, termed bilateral ties as strategic with positive future.
According to IRNA, Iran's Ambassador Mohsen Paka'in made the comment
here on Friday [31 May] in an interview with Azerbaijan's Ollaylar
daily, pointing out that yet, the two countries' relations get
subjected to ups and downs at times, which are managed thanks to the
two countries' officials' wise conduct.
He added: "During the past months constructive and trust building
negotiations between the two countries' presidents and foreign
ministers, as well as the recent visit of the Head of Azerbaijan
Republic National Security Council Ramiz Mahdiev and an Azeri
delegation headed by the Head of Caucasus Muslims Office Sheykh
ol-Islam Pashazadeh have led to new dynamism aimed at boosting
bilateral relations."
Paka'in said: "I believe the Islamic Republic of Iran and Azerbaijan
Republic have lots of useful potentials for expansion of bilateral
ties, recognition of which can lead to proximity of the two sides and
turn the two countries into strategic partners."
Iran's Ambassador to Baku referred to the role and progressing status
of Iran in the world and the region, as well as Azerbaijan Republic's
wise recognition of this point, noting that the active presence of
Iran in crisis solving in Karabachos is to the benefit of promoting
peace and stability in the region.
He reiterated: "The Islamic Republic of Iran, too, considers
Azerbaijan Republic an important country in the region which is a gate
towards the Caucasus region countries, while in commerce, goods and
energy transit, too, keeping in mind having shared land and sea
boarders, we are interested in strengthening ties with Baku."
He said that satisfactory relations between Tehran and Baku can lead
to regional stability and balance and play an important role in
preservation of peace and stability inside both countries.
In response to a question on the current level of Iran-Azerbaijan
economic ties, and the unused potentials for further improving them,
Paka'in said: "In economic field the activation of the two countries'
Joint Economic commission has both regulated and expanded the two
countries' cooperation. In trade field, too, we have cooperation in
goods and energy transit field."
The IRI ambassador to Baku said that the annual volume of official
trade between the two counties is now over 500 million US dollars,
adding: "If we wish to add the transactions between the two countries'
boarder dwellers, that figure would be doubled to around one billion
dollars, which is of course not satisfactory, and can grow thanks to
the already adopted measures."
He referred to 30 per cent growth last year in economic transactions
between Iran and Azerbaijan Republic, adding: "Yet, the potential for
these two friendly neighbouring countries' trade ties is much higher
than that and taking advantage of the existing potentials between the
two countries must still be kept in mind, until Azerbaijan Republic
would become one of the Islamic Republic of Iran's main trade
partners.
Paka'in said: "We get Azerbaijan's gas and swap it to Naxcivan. In the
field of goods transit, to, Iran is the safest, closest, and most
economic routs for the entire regional countries, including Azerbaijan
Republic." The Iranian railways, roads, and sea routs are taken
advantage of in this field. In commerce and energy fields, too, we
have maximum cooperation."
Pointing out that the deputy heads of the two countries' customs had a
meeting recently, followed by regular monthly meetings between the
managing directors of the Iranian and Azerbaijani customs
organizations, emphasizing: "The customs and transit difficulties have
decreased and facilities for traffic of goods and passengers have
increased and these moves have positively affected our bilateral
trade, although there is still a way to be paved before achieving the
satisfactory status."
Asked bout the moves made for expansion of bilateral cultural ties and
the future plans for the purpose, the Iranian ambassador said:
"Keeping in mind the numerous cultural commonalties between the two
countries, the culture weeks of Iran and Azerbaijan Republic have been
held in Tehran and Baku and the two countries' artists have close
relations with each other, particularly in cinema, theatre, miniature,
painting, and calligraphy fields, and Azerbaijan Culture Week is
therefore, scheduled to be held in Tehran this week."
Paka'in said: "In order to strengthen the two nations' relations, we
unilaterally lifted the visa regime for Azeri citizens and this led to
greater relations between the two nations and boosting tourism both
for those who are interested in visiting Iran and for those who want
to go to our country pilgrimage or medical purposes."
He added: "The two countries' leaders are in favour of expanding
friendly ties and their will must be implemented in other levels. Of
course, the media, as an influential means on public opinion and on
politicians, can play a decisive role in this respect."
The Azeri daily reporter asked what role Iran can play in solving the
Karabachos crisis, keeping in mind Tehran's often repeated proposals
for meddling in the dispute.
Paka'in emphasized that the Karabachos dispute is a 20 year crisis and
the Azerbaijan and Armenia republics have chosen the Minsk Group
mechanism for the purpose, not yielding to any other solution.
He added: "I believe the Minsk Group is not neutral in this dispute
and that is the reason why the efforts made aimed at solving the
Karabachos dispute have thus far been unsuccessful."
The Iranian envoy said: "The policy of Minsk Group is elongating this
dispute and sometimes it has even stated that solving the matter is in
need of another two decades, which is neither to the benefit of
Azerbaijan Republic, nor to the benefit of regional security. I
believe, the regional countries must get involved in this issue,
because the regional countries have strong incentives for solving this
crisis."
He said that entry of the Islamic Cooperation Organization to the
matter, too, can be useful, adding: "Iran, as the rotating head of the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and an active member of the OIC is ready
for meddling and is also ready for offering assistance aimed at
putting an end to the engagements and return to the original status,
in which respecting the boarder lines and ending the engagements would
be in mind. The Karabachos region has created a lingeringarmed
engagement and enmity zone near our boarders and it is quite natural
for us to be worried about the existence of tension in this region and
to offer assistance, if we can."
In response to a question on Iran and Azerbaijan cooperation in the
international scene, the Iranian ambassador said: "Fortunately, there
are fruitful relations and cooperation between the two countries,
particularly at the UN, the OIC, the ECO, and the NAM.
"I believe Azerbaijan Republic would maintain its strategic status in
the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, because the
Iranian government favours the advancement and development of
Azerbaijan and the two countries' relations can grow without being
influenced by the other countries, to secure the long term interests
of both sides."
In response to Ollaylar daily's question on the effect of the sanction
on the Iranian economy, he said: "The main reason for imposing the
sanctions against Iran is a few countries' opposition against the
peaceful nuclear programme of Iran.
"The Iranian nuclear programme is pursued with peaceful incentives and
aimed at economic development of the country. The International Atomic
Energy Agency has conducted the most and strongest series of
inspections in its entire history, including over 100 unannounced
inspections and over 4,000 person/day inspections in Iran."
Paka'in added: "The agency has often announced that there is no reason
for believing that even one gram of radioactive material to prove that
Iran has deviated towards manufacturing atomic bombs. Of course, our
enemies have tried to aggrandize the sanctions' issue and to tell lies
about their exclusive relation with our nuclear programme, while the
sanctions started as of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, when no
nuclear issue existed. The sanctions are nothing new and they have
existed as of the victory of the revolution, but our system has
throughout the past 33 years kept on progressing constantly."
Paka'in added: "We are a nuclear power today, enjoy very high military
power, have launched satellites to outer space, are the top medically
advanced country in the region, and enjoy very high and unique
scientific growth rate, and all these achievements have been gained in
the course of the imposed sanctions against us. These sanctions are in
fact an undeclared war against a nation, but by grace of God the
enemies will be defeated by the Iranian nation in this war, as well."
He said that the emerged difficulties due to the sanctions are quite
natural, arguing: "This cannot be denied, but due to the economic
potentials, particularly in energy field in our country, and the
Iranian nation's will to defend their Islamic Revolution, the holy
Islam, and their own national interests, we have resisted and managed
the sanctions, having regular relations with every country in the
world. Therefore, the western imposed sanctions would not urge the
Islamic Republic of Iran to abandon its objectives and ideals."