Iran awaits serious steps in oil and gas swap with Azerbaijan
By Sara Rajabova
Iran's ambassador to Azerbaijan said his country expects serious steps in the sphere of oil and gas swaps between the two countries.
Mohsen Pakayin met with Habib Borumand, the parliament's member from Iran's Bilasuvar and Parsabad districts, on March 27.
During the meeting, he expressed hope that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Iran in the coming days will lead to further development of relations between the two countries, Fars news agency reported.
Pakayin highlighted the high level of relations between the two countries, adding that the development of these relations is in the interests of both Iran and Azerbaijan.
Pointing out that trade turnover between the two countries has increased by 10 percent, he noted that the Iranian province of Ardabil has great potential for the development of bilateral relations with Azerbaijan.
"The new government in Iran has taken important steps in the field of diplomacy, and we look forward to serious steps in the economic and political spheres between Azerbaijan and Iran in the new year, including oil and gas swaps," Pakayin said.
Referring to Azerbaijan's approval for opening the Aslanduz border checkpoint in the new Iranian year (which starts from March 21), Borumand expressed hope that this will boost relations between the two countries.
There are seven border crossings on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border. Recently, a new bridge was constructed at the Julfa border crossing point, ready for operation.
Iran and Azerbaijan have boosted bilateral relations by the mutual visits of high level officials. Recently, Emergency Situations Minister of Azerbaijan Kamaladdin Heydarov visited Iran. Before that, Iran's special envoy for Caspian Sea diplomacy, EbrahimRahimpour visited Azerbaijan.
The two countries 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.
Iran imported $73.347 million worth of goods from Azerbaijan in 2013, while its exports to Azerbaijan stood at $207.683 million during the same period.
Iran's trade turnover with Azerbaijan in the first eleven months of 2013stood at $470 million ($448 million exports and $22 million imports), Iran's customs administration's latest report shows.
The statistics of Iran's customs administration are based on the official rate of rial/USD which is different from the free market rate.