Iran, Azerbaijan raise relations to higher level
By Sara Rajabova
The relations between neighboring countries, Azerbaijan and Iran with a long history of bilateral ties and cooperation have risen to a higher level.
The sides reached an agreement about broadcasting an Azerbaijani-language TV channel on Iran's territory, which is the home of nearly 30 million Azerbaijanis.
This comes as the two countries have recently strengthened their bilateral cooperation and increased mutual visits by two sides' officials.
Iran's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak Ayeen said the broadcasting of an Azerbaijani-language television channel in Iran shows the importance attached by Iran to this language.
Pak Ayeen said in an article published in Iranian media that creation of a new Azerbaijani-language TV channel in Iran by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reflects the Islamic Republic's attention to the development of Azerbaijani language.
The IRIB Head Ezzatollah Zarghami, who was on an official visit to Azerbaijan, said on October 14 at a press conference that Iran will soon launch a 24-hour Azerbaijani-language television channel.
Pak Ayeen praised Zarghami's visit to Baku, stressing that his official visit to Baku will have a positive impact not only on two countries' ties in the media, but also on relations in other areas.
During Zarghami's visit, the two sides reached an agreement to create a joint media commission.
He expressed his country's readiness to cooperate with Azerbaijan in the sphere of TV and radio technologies, and production of digital TV and radio transmitters.
Earlier, Azerbaijan and Iran agreed on all outstanding issues of frequency resources regulation in the border territories during the visit of an Azerbaijani delegation to Tehran in June.
A document on cooperation between the two countries in the field of postal services is expected to be signed by late 2014.
Cooperation in the field of information and communication technologies will open the Iranian ICT market to Azerbaijani companies. Meanwhile, the Iranian companies will gain access to the Azerbaijani market.
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.