Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijan and Iran have discussed the prospects for further expansion of bilateral ties in economic field.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Ali Tayyebnia, Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance in Baku on January 28, AzerTag news agency reported.

President Aliyev expressed confidence that the visit of the Iranian delegation would be successful and important in terms of defining prospects for further cooperation. President Aliyev noted that there were good opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the economic sphere.

Recalling with pleasure a visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Azerbaijan last November, President Aliyev stressed the importance of a business forum held as part of the visit with the participation of the two countries` businessmen. He described ideas articulated at the forum as an expression of existing mutual interest in cooperation in the economic area.

Tayyebnia, for his part, conveyed greetings on behalf of President Rouhani to President Aliyev. He noted that thanks to efforts of the Azerbaijani and Iranian presidents, the development of bilateral relations entered a new stage.

President Aliyev thanked Rouhani for his greetings, and asked Tayyebnia to convey his greetings to the Iranian president.

On the same day, the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran was discussed during the meeting of Iranian delegation led by Tayyebnia and Shahin Mustafayev, Minister of Economy and Industry.

Noting the development of political, economic and humanitarian relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, Mustafayev emphasized the importance of the visits of heads of states in expansion of cooperation.

He said mutual official visits of the two countries’ presidents, meetings and the agreements signed in various fields last year greatly contributed to the development of ties.

Mustafayev noted that high level of political relations between Azerbaijan and Iran creates great opportunities for the development of economic relations. According to him, so far, 108 documents, including more than 30 documents in the economic sphere have been signed between the two countries.

He said currently 447 companies with Iranian investment operate in different sectors of the economy in Azerbaijan.

Mustafayev also stressed the importance of holding business forums, meetings and exhibitions in terms of expansion of economic relations between Azerbaijan and Iran.

Tayyebnia, for his part, noted that his country attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan. He further highlighted the great potential for further expansion of cooperation between the two countries.

The sides also exchanged views on expansion of economic ties, development of cooperation in industry, agriculture, energy, alternative energy, transportation and other fields.

During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation and Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran on the establishment of a working group on cooperation in the field of investment.

The working group will support to expansion of investment relations between the business circles of Azerbaijan and Iran.

Iran and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.

Tehran has in recent years focused seriously on development of ties with neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan which enjoys various commonalties with Iran in religious, historical and cultural fields.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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