Procedure for visiting Nakhchivan simplified for Iranian citizens
By Sara Rajabova
The procedure for visiting Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be simplified for Iranian citizens wishing to visit the NAR.
The issue was mulled at the meeting of Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pakayin with chairman of the NAR Supreme Majlis Vasif Talibov, the Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan reported on May 28.
Following the discussions on the problems with Iranian citizens' entering and leaving Nakhchivan, an agreement on resolving this problem was reached at the meeting.
The development of trade relations between the border regions of Nakhchivan and Iran was also discussed during the meeting.
The sides also emphasized that close cooperation in the field of agriculture is observed between Nakhchivan and Iran, bordering with Azerbaijan.
Nakhchivan is Azerbaijan's region, which is under the blockade for over 20 years due to the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories.
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.
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.