Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

An Iranian official has called for the realization of the agreements signed between Baku and Tehran regarding the strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Ebrahim Rahimpour, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and Pacific Affairs said Azerbaijan and Iran have reached very good agreements to enhance cooperation, but they haven’t been realized completely yet.

Rahimpour, who is also Iranian president’s special representative for Caspian Sea affairs, expressed hope that thanks to mutual visits and negotiations of the two countries’ officials, the said agreements will soon be fully realized.

He told Trend in Tehran on August 27 that Iran was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, and has supported it from the very first days of independence.

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

Currently, the two countries are focused on expanding economic ties in various fields, including industry, agriculture, energy, alternative energy, and transportation.

Rahimpour further said in particular from the first days of Azerbaijan’s independence, Iran has supported and assisted the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Nakhchivan is one of Azerbaijan's regions that has been under a blockade over the last 20 years due to the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

Rahimpour believes that in 23 years, the peak of relations between the two countries accounted for the past few years, as a result of strong will shown by the leadership of two countries, adding both states have shown strong will to expand cooperation.

The minister went on to add that the two countries have not yet fully achieved the goals for the expansion of relations, calling on Iranian officials and friendly Azerbaijan to be more active towards the interests of their peoples using the existing potential of the two countries.

“We must take advantage of the existing potential not only for the sake of the interests of the two countries, but also the region, providing peace in it. I hope that the mutual visits of the officials of the two countries will give its results,” Rahimpour said.

Tehran and Baku have recently intensified bilateral relations with an expectation to further deepen the all-out cooperation between the two close neighbors.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s administration, which voiced commitment to enhance ties with the neighboring countries, gives special importance to development of ties with Azerbaijan.

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

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