Iran's West Azerbaijan calls for expansion of cooperation with Baku
By Sara Rajabova
Iran's West Azerbaijan province has called for more cooperation with Republic of Azerbaijan.
Governor General of West Azerbaijan province Qurbanali Saadat made the remark in a meeting with Azerbaijani General Consul in Tabriz Ali Alizadeh on August 21, IRNA reported.
Saadat said the province welcomes expansion of cooperation with Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
He also expressed hope that with creation of appropriate grounds, mutual cooperation expands more and more.
Alizadeh, for his part, appreciated the Governor General's support for promotion of cooperation.
He added that considering commonalities, authorities in Iran and Azerbaijan are trying to promote bilateral relations.
West Azerbaijan has common border with Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in Aras River bank near city of Poldasht.
Azerbaijan and Iran have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.
Data from the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan shows that trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $281.03 million in 2013, which is 6.13 percent higher than 2012. The figure stood at $263.785 million in 2012.
The official of the West Azerbaijan province said the province is also interested in cooperation with Iraq Kurdistan region.
In a meeting with Iran's new General Consul in Erbil Morteza Ebadi on August 21, Saadat said the province is ready to promote cooperation and develop economic ties with Iraq Kurdistan region.
The sides also discussed the latest situation in relations between West Azerbaijan province with Iraq Kurdistan region and Erbil Province.
Activating border terminal of Tamarchin, a border crossing point between the province and Iraq's Kurdistan region, paving the ground to promote exchange levels between the province with Iraq Kurdistan region and exchanging economic and trade delegations between the two sides were among other topics in talks between the governor general and new general consul in Erbil.