Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iran's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mohsen Pak Ayeen has said the ties between Tehran and Baku are at a high level, adding they have a bright future.

He pointed out the failure of the third parties' attempts to spoil relations between the two countries saying the leaders of both countries are aware of this and wisely seek to keep their mutual relations.

"Our criteria for friendship with other countries are based not on the political views of various state and non-state structures, but on the will of people. We believe that the strengthening of relations with Azerbaijan is the desire of both peoples," Pak Ayeen said on June 5.

He further said the Iranian and Azerbaijani peoples share deep common cultural roots and the two nations are so close to each other.

Pak Ayeen went on to add that over one million Azerbaijani citizens annually visit Iran, and this helps to promote truths about Iran and thwart the influence of various nationalist groups' propaganda.

He said Azerbaijani national Leader Heydar Aliyev's policy was based on establishing friendly relations with Iran, and today Azerbaijan is continuing this policy.

Pak Ayeen said Iranian leadership's policy seeks to expand relations with Azerbaijan, and the implementation of economic plans associated with the policy will be fruitful.

"In the future we will witness even more development in relations between the two countries," Pak Ayeen stressed.

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 2013 stood at $470 million ($448 million exports and $22 million imports), Iran's customs administration's latest report shows.