Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iran attaches great importance to development of close relations with its historic neighbor Azerbaijan.

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.

Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak Ayin has said one of the priorities of Iran’s policy is to strengthen the relations with neighboring countries and to develop the mutually beneficial cooperation.

He told Trend that the development of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan is an example for the neighboring countries.

Pak Ayin went on to say that the country's diplomatic corps resolved some issues that could affect the positive development of relations between Baku and Tehran and was able to create stable atmosphere of trust using the existing potential.

He stressed that the Caucasus is of strategic importance and close relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, which is an important country in the region, are among the achievements of President Rouhani’s government.

Pak Ayin said that the discussions on the nuclear program were a top priority for the country's diplomatic corps for the last two years. But despite this, the basis was prepared for the development of political, cultural and economic relations with neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan.

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

Pak Ayin further added that the economic relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have been a priority for the last two years and this contributed to the growth of trade between the two countries in the non-oil sector.

He noted that the investments in Shah Deniz gas project, the simplification of the visa regime, the issuance of visas to Iranian citizens on the border with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the regulation of customs issues, especially, the opening of a new building of the Bilasuvar border checkpoint, are the achievements.

The development of these relations, along with mutual benefit and strengthening of stability in the region, can turn the countries into the strategic allies, according to the ambassador.

"Iran and Azerbaijan have good economic relations. Moreover, our countries can become the guarantors of peace and stability in the region by developing and implementing the programs to remove the existing threats," Pak Ayin said.

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.

Azerbaijan was the 12th leading importer of Iranian non-oil goods in the previous Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, 2015, according to the Iran Customs Administration.

Iran exported $435.34 million of non-oil goods to Azerbaijan and imported $22.22 million of non-oil goods from the country.

Currently, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran is $500 million.

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

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