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Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA, Iran
Aug 24 2012
IRI Deputy FM: Iran-Azerbaijan relations based on mutual respect
Baku, Aug 24, IRNA - Deputy IRI Foreign Minister in Asian and Oceania
Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi said here Friday Islamic Republic of
Iran's relations with Republic of Azerbaijan have been based on mutual
respect throughout the past 20 years.
Araqchi added in an exclusive interview with IRNA late Friday night,
`Despite the ups and downs in Iran-Azerbaijan political relations, by
establishing a Joint Political Consultations Committee, the two sides
have thus far had good and constructive consultations in various
fields thus far.
Elaborating on the Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Political Consultations
Committee, he reiterated, `The Joint Political Consultations Committee
of Iran and Azerbaijan is scheduled to meet once every six months,
rotating between Tehran and Baku, at the level of deputy foreign
ministers, and to discuss the issues of mutual interest, including the
existing problems between the two countries.'
Pointing out that his visit of Baku was aimed at participating at the
Joint Political Consultations Committee, Araqchi added, `During the
course of my five hour talks with Azerbaijan Republic Deputy Foreign
Minister Khalaf Khalafev issues of mutual interest for the two
countries, regional and international developments were surveyed and
discussed.'
According to him, the existing problems between the two (Muslim
neighboring) countries are due to foreign elements, because some
foreign countries are opposed to friendly (and brotherly) relations
between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan,
and therefore they try to sow the seeds of discord between Tehran and
Baku.
- Necessity of President Aliyev's presence at NAM Summit
The Iranian deputy FM reiterated, `In the course of my Friday talks
with my Azerbaijani counterpart the issue of President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad's invitation for his Azeri counterpart President Ilham
Aliyev was discussed.'
He reiterated, `We believe the presence of the president of Azerbaijan
Republic at the Tehran 16th NAM Summit would leave a very positive and
constructive effect on Tehran-Baku relations.'
Araqchi reiterated, `Azerbaijan Republic is a member of the
Non-Aligned Movement and the thoughts of Azerbaijan Republic leaders
can contribute greatly to the success of the NAM movement.'
The Iranian deputy foreign minister said, `The presence of President
Aliyev at Tehran NAM Summit would be a turning point contributing to
solving of many existing problems between the two countries.'
- Expansion of economic ties
Araqchi furthermore emphasized the need for expansion of economic
relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of
Azerbaijan Republic, saying, `The matter was surveyed in negotiations
with Mr. Khalafev, and it was agreed that the first Joint Economic
Commission of Iran and Azerbaijan would meet in Baku in the future.'
The deputy FM reiterated, `It was also agreed that the Azeri friends
would announce the time for convening of the first Joint Economic
Commission of Iran and Azerbaijan.'
According to him the Joint Economic Commission of Iran and Azerbaijan
can provide the path for expansion of bilateral economic relations
more than ever before.
- Developing cultural relations
Islamic Republic of Iran Deputy Foreign Minister in Asia and Oceania
Affairs Araqchi reiterated, `Keeping in mind the existence of lots of
cultural commonalties between the two countries, in talks with the
deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan Republic ways for the expansion
of cultural relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and
Azerbaijan Republic were surveyed.'
- Meeting with Azerbaijan Republic Foreign Minister
Noting that all in all he had a good round of negotiations with
Khalafev, Araqchi said, `Also in a separate meeting with Azerbaijan
Republic Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov we decided to resolved the
existing problems between the two countries as soon as possible so
that a new round of constructive relations between the Islamic
Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan would begin in very
near future.'
- Decision over legal regime of the Caspian Sea
The IRI deputy minister of foreign affairs focusing on the legal
regime of the Caspian Sea, said, `Deciding over the legal regime of
the Caspian sea is possible only in the presence of the entire five
littoral countries of the Caspian Sea is necessary and therefore,
signing any bilateral agreement on the matter is ineffective.'
Araqchi emphasized, `The Islamic Republic of Iran all the same
believes bilateral negotiations over deciding the legal regime of the
Caspian Sea can affect that regime, and therefore Iran continues its
negotiations with the littoral countries of the Caspian Sea on the
matter, hoping that these talks would lead to making a shared final
decision over the legal regime of the Caspian Sea.
- Syrian developments
Pointing out that the Syrian developments were discussed in his talks
with the Azeri deputy foreign minister, Araqchi said, `In Syria the
demand of the Syrian nation for implementation of basic reforms must
be respected and the Islamic Republic of Iran, too, emphasizes that
the righteous demands of the Syrian nation must be met.'
He all the same reiterated, `Implementing political reforms amid
foreign interference is impossible, particularly more so because these
interferences is accompanied with forwarding weapons and money, while
any type of interference further complicates the ongoing crisis in
that country.'
- Annan's six point plan still supported
According to the Iranian deputy FM, the political reforms need to be
implemented gradually and peacefully, and therefore, the Islamic
Republic of Iran still supports the six article plan of the former UN
special envoy Mr. Kofi Annan.
Araqchi meanwhile emphasized, `Military intervention is not a solution
for the Syrian problems, which are in need of political solutions, and
must be solved peacefully.'
Araqchi said, `Syria has always been the forefront for combat against
the Zionist regime and it is clearly seen that the Zionist regime is
one of the major involved sides in the combat against the Syrian
government, which is one major reason why foreign interference,
particularly the Zionists' interference in Syria must be ended.'
- Iran-Azerbaijan relations' ups and downs
Iran has an embassy in Baku and a consulate-general in Nakhichevan
City. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tehran and a consulate-general in
Tabriz. Both countries are full members of the Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and
the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Iran and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran
mediated between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
Iran was one of the first countries to establish full diplomatic
relations with Azerbaijan. Following the declaration of the Parliament
of Azerbaijan to restore independence of Azerbaijan Republic on
October 18, 1991 and in early December 1991, Iranian foreign minister
at the time, Ali Akbar Velayati, visited Baku, where he signed a
number of agreements on political, economic, and cultural cooperation
and pledged to support Azerbaijan's membership in the Organization of
the Islamic Conference (now the Organization of Islamic Cooperation).
Within the few days after the visit, Iran recognized Azerbaijan on
January 4, 1992, upgraded its consulate in Baku to establish full
diplomatic relations.
After the rise of Popular Front of Azerbaijan to power in June 1992,
the newly-elected President Abulfaz Elchibey endorsed the unification
of the Azerbaijani populations of his country and Iranian Azerbaijan,
and to that end, autonomy for the Iranian Azerbaijanis, a stance which
alienated the Iranian government.
Ironically, Elchibey was against the breakup of his own nation based
on ethnic lines, stating 'Armenians have been living in Azerbaijan for
centuries, and as full citizens of the state - just like the Lezgins,
Tats, and Talyish... let them continue to live here as equal citizens
before the law - but they must obey the laws of the state, no country
would demand any less. He also denounced Iran's peace efforts during
the Nargorno-Karabakh conflict, claiming Iran was attempting to give
Armenia the advantage. However, during Nagorno-Karabakh War, Iran
pressured Armenia and Karabakh Armenians to halt the offensive. Veiled
threats first appeared in the English-language Kayhan International:
`If our peace and border security is going to be threatened... our
leaders cannot afford to let the situation take care of itself.'
This statement was followed by official warnings from the Iranian
Foreign Ministry, accompanied by military reinforcements along Iran's
borders with Azerbaijan and Armenia. Iran also gave financial aid to
Nakhchivan and pressured Armenia to refrain from attacking the
enclave.
Since then however, the two nations have had relatively good
relations, although tensions have sometimes been high, cooperating in
many different areas including trade, security, and the energy sector.
However, some tensions include the growing relationship between the
United States, Israel, and Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea territorial issues,
and Iran's support for Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan
had said that he did not support a United States attack against Iran.
Novruz Mamedov, Azerbaijani presidential international affairs
department head in 2005, has also said that Azerbaijan would not allow
the United States to build bases within Azerbaijani territory and
would not help in an attack against Iran.
In May 2005 Baku and Tehran signed a non-aggression pact barring third
countries from using their territories for offensive operations
against each other.
In March 2006, during the World Congress of Azerbaijanis convention in
Baku, a number of participants addressed both the concept of a
'unified Azerbaijan' and 'human rights abuses' against Azeris in Iran.
Certain anti-Iran claims during an official seminar in Baku were
harmful to relations between the two countries and were especially
against the interests of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Nevertheless, the relations between the two republics are once again developing.
On December 20, 2005 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev and Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the opening ceremony of a new
gas pipeline from Iran to Azerbaijan's landlocked Nakhchivan
Autonomous Region, which is separated from the mainland of Azerbaijan
by a strip of Armenian territory. Nakhchivan has been cut off from gas
supplies as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. Under a 25-year swap contract signed between the two
countries in August 2004, the new pipeline will supply the region with
Iranian natural gas. Azerbaijan will also deliver its gas to Iran's
northeastern provinces. The volume of gas imports to Nakhchivan is
expected to reach 250 million cubic meters in 2006 and 350 million
cubic meters in 2007.
On February 3, 2007 Azerbaijan's minister of communications and
information technology, Ali Abbasov, and the head of the Iranian State
Broadcasting Agency, Ezzatollah Zarghami, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on bilateral media cooperation.
On March 19, 2007, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran joined
President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia to inaugurate a gas pipeline to
pump Iranian natural gas to Armenia. Armenia is Azerbaijan's arch-foe.
Azerbaijan's reel of Eurovision Song Contest 2009 depicted the
Maqbaratoshoara, a famous monument and a symbol of the Iranian city of
Tabriz and the northwestern region of Iran, shown among Azerbaijani
national monuments. This has been perceived by many Iranians as a
violation of Iranian territorial integrity.
On November 11, 2009, Iran unilaterally lifted visa regime for
Azerbaijani citizens.
Courtesy: Wikipedia for the background on Iran-Azerbaijan relations
Aug 24 2012
IRI Deputy FM: Iran-Azerbaijan relations based on mutual respect
Baku, Aug 24, IRNA - Deputy IRI Foreign Minister in Asian and Oceania
Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi said here Friday Islamic Republic of
Iran's relations with Republic of Azerbaijan have been based on mutual
respect throughout the past 20 years.
Araqchi added in an exclusive interview with IRNA late Friday night,
`Despite the ups and downs in Iran-Azerbaijan political relations, by
establishing a Joint Political Consultations Committee, the two sides
have thus far had good and constructive consultations in various
fields thus far.
Elaborating on the Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Political Consultations
Committee, he reiterated, `The Joint Political Consultations Committee
of Iran and Azerbaijan is scheduled to meet once every six months,
rotating between Tehran and Baku, at the level of deputy foreign
ministers, and to discuss the issues of mutual interest, including the
existing problems between the two countries.'
Pointing out that his visit of Baku was aimed at participating at the
Joint Political Consultations Committee, Araqchi added, `During the
course of my five hour talks with Azerbaijan Republic Deputy Foreign
Minister Khalaf Khalafev issues of mutual interest for the two
countries, regional and international developments were surveyed and
discussed.'
According to him, the existing problems between the two (Muslim
neighboring) countries are due to foreign elements, because some
foreign countries are opposed to friendly (and brotherly) relations
between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan,
and therefore they try to sow the seeds of discord between Tehran and
Baku.
- Necessity of President Aliyev's presence at NAM Summit
The Iranian deputy FM reiterated, `In the course of my Friday talks
with my Azerbaijani counterpart the issue of President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad's invitation for his Azeri counterpart President Ilham
Aliyev was discussed.'
He reiterated, `We believe the presence of the president of Azerbaijan
Republic at the Tehran 16th NAM Summit would leave a very positive and
constructive effect on Tehran-Baku relations.'
Araqchi reiterated, `Azerbaijan Republic is a member of the
Non-Aligned Movement and the thoughts of Azerbaijan Republic leaders
can contribute greatly to the success of the NAM movement.'
The Iranian deputy foreign minister said, `The presence of President
Aliyev at Tehran NAM Summit would be a turning point contributing to
solving of many existing problems between the two countries.'
- Expansion of economic ties
Araqchi furthermore emphasized the need for expansion of economic
relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of
Azerbaijan Republic, saying, `The matter was surveyed in negotiations
with Mr. Khalafev, and it was agreed that the first Joint Economic
Commission of Iran and Azerbaijan would meet in Baku in the future.'
The deputy FM reiterated, `It was also agreed that the Azeri friends
would announce the time for convening of the first Joint Economic
Commission of Iran and Azerbaijan.'
According to him the Joint Economic Commission of Iran and Azerbaijan
can provide the path for expansion of bilateral economic relations
more than ever before.
- Developing cultural relations
Islamic Republic of Iran Deputy Foreign Minister in Asia and Oceania
Affairs Araqchi reiterated, `Keeping in mind the existence of lots of
cultural commonalties between the two countries, in talks with the
deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan Republic ways for the expansion
of cultural relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and
Azerbaijan Republic were surveyed.'
- Meeting with Azerbaijan Republic Foreign Minister
Noting that all in all he had a good round of negotiations with
Khalafev, Araqchi said, `Also in a separate meeting with Azerbaijan
Republic Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov we decided to resolved the
existing problems between the two countries as soon as possible so
that a new round of constructive relations between the Islamic
Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan would begin in very
near future.'
- Decision over legal regime of the Caspian Sea
The IRI deputy minister of foreign affairs focusing on the legal
regime of the Caspian Sea, said, `Deciding over the legal regime of
the Caspian sea is possible only in the presence of the entire five
littoral countries of the Caspian Sea is necessary and therefore,
signing any bilateral agreement on the matter is ineffective.'
Araqchi emphasized, `The Islamic Republic of Iran all the same
believes bilateral negotiations over deciding the legal regime of the
Caspian Sea can affect that regime, and therefore Iran continues its
negotiations with the littoral countries of the Caspian Sea on the
matter, hoping that these talks would lead to making a shared final
decision over the legal regime of the Caspian Sea.
- Syrian developments
Pointing out that the Syrian developments were discussed in his talks
with the Azeri deputy foreign minister, Araqchi said, `In Syria the
demand of the Syrian nation for implementation of basic reforms must
be respected and the Islamic Republic of Iran, too, emphasizes that
the righteous demands of the Syrian nation must be met.'
He all the same reiterated, `Implementing political reforms amid
foreign interference is impossible, particularly more so because these
interferences is accompanied with forwarding weapons and money, while
any type of interference further complicates the ongoing crisis in
that country.'
- Annan's six point plan still supported
According to the Iranian deputy FM, the political reforms need to be
implemented gradually and peacefully, and therefore, the Islamic
Republic of Iran still supports the six article plan of the former UN
special envoy Mr. Kofi Annan.
Araqchi meanwhile emphasized, `Military intervention is not a solution
for the Syrian problems, which are in need of political solutions, and
must be solved peacefully.'
Araqchi said, `Syria has always been the forefront for combat against
the Zionist regime and it is clearly seen that the Zionist regime is
one of the major involved sides in the combat against the Syrian
government, which is one major reason why foreign interference,
particularly the Zionists' interference in Syria must be ended.'
- Iran-Azerbaijan relations' ups and downs
Iran has an embassy in Baku and a consulate-general in Nakhichevan
City. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tehran and a consulate-general in
Tabriz. Both countries are full members of the Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and
the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Iran and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran
mediated between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
Iran was one of the first countries to establish full diplomatic
relations with Azerbaijan. Following the declaration of the Parliament
of Azerbaijan to restore independence of Azerbaijan Republic on
October 18, 1991 and in early December 1991, Iranian foreign minister
at the time, Ali Akbar Velayati, visited Baku, where he signed a
number of agreements on political, economic, and cultural cooperation
and pledged to support Azerbaijan's membership in the Organization of
the Islamic Conference (now the Organization of Islamic Cooperation).
Within the few days after the visit, Iran recognized Azerbaijan on
January 4, 1992, upgraded its consulate in Baku to establish full
diplomatic relations.
After the rise of Popular Front of Azerbaijan to power in June 1992,
the newly-elected President Abulfaz Elchibey endorsed the unification
of the Azerbaijani populations of his country and Iranian Azerbaijan,
and to that end, autonomy for the Iranian Azerbaijanis, a stance which
alienated the Iranian government.
Ironically, Elchibey was against the breakup of his own nation based
on ethnic lines, stating 'Armenians have been living in Azerbaijan for
centuries, and as full citizens of the state - just like the Lezgins,
Tats, and Talyish... let them continue to live here as equal citizens
before the law - but they must obey the laws of the state, no country
would demand any less. He also denounced Iran's peace efforts during
the Nargorno-Karabakh conflict, claiming Iran was attempting to give
Armenia the advantage. However, during Nagorno-Karabakh War, Iran
pressured Armenia and Karabakh Armenians to halt the offensive. Veiled
threats first appeared in the English-language Kayhan International:
`If our peace and border security is going to be threatened... our
leaders cannot afford to let the situation take care of itself.'
This statement was followed by official warnings from the Iranian
Foreign Ministry, accompanied by military reinforcements along Iran's
borders with Azerbaijan and Armenia. Iran also gave financial aid to
Nakhchivan and pressured Armenia to refrain from attacking the
enclave.
Since then however, the two nations have had relatively good
relations, although tensions have sometimes been high, cooperating in
many different areas including trade, security, and the energy sector.
However, some tensions include the growing relationship between the
United States, Israel, and Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea territorial issues,
and Iran's support for Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan
had said that he did not support a United States attack against Iran.
Novruz Mamedov, Azerbaijani presidential international affairs
department head in 2005, has also said that Azerbaijan would not allow
the United States to build bases within Azerbaijani territory and
would not help in an attack against Iran.
In May 2005 Baku and Tehran signed a non-aggression pact barring third
countries from using their territories for offensive operations
against each other.
In March 2006, during the World Congress of Azerbaijanis convention in
Baku, a number of participants addressed both the concept of a
'unified Azerbaijan' and 'human rights abuses' against Azeris in Iran.
Certain anti-Iran claims during an official seminar in Baku were
harmful to relations between the two countries and were especially
against the interests of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Nevertheless, the relations between the two republics are once again developing.
On December 20, 2005 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev and Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the opening ceremony of a new
gas pipeline from Iran to Azerbaijan's landlocked Nakhchivan
Autonomous Region, which is separated from the mainland of Azerbaijan
by a strip of Armenian territory. Nakhchivan has been cut off from gas
supplies as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. Under a 25-year swap contract signed between the two
countries in August 2004, the new pipeline will supply the region with
Iranian natural gas. Azerbaijan will also deliver its gas to Iran's
northeastern provinces. The volume of gas imports to Nakhchivan is
expected to reach 250 million cubic meters in 2006 and 350 million
cubic meters in 2007.
On February 3, 2007 Azerbaijan's minister of communications and
information technology, Ali Abbasov, and the head of the Iranian State
Broadcasting Agency, Ezzatollah Zarghami, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on bilateral media cooperation.
On March 19, 2007, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran joined
President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia to inaugurate a gas pipeline to
pump Iranian natural gas to Armenia. Armenia is Azerbaijan's arch-foe.
Azerbaijan's reel of Eurovision Song Contest 2009 depicted the
Maqbaratoshoara, a famous monument and a symbol of the Iranian city of
Tabriz and the northwestern region of Iran, shown among Azerbaijani
national monuments. This has been perceived by many Iranians as a
violation of Iranian territorial integrity.
On November 11, 2009, Iran unilaterally lifted visa regime for
Azerbaijani citizens.
Courtesy: Wikipedia for the background on Iran-Azerbaijan relations