Iranian MP advises Baku to be far-sighted
A senior Iranian lawmaker advised the Azerbaijani authorities to be far-sighted about their foreign relations and national interests.
In an interview with Iran Daily, Abbas Moqtadaei, the deputy chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, warned Baku against trading in the long-term interests of the people of Azerbaijan for the short-term interests of Israel.
In recent months, Tehran and Baku have been involved in, among other things, a tense dispute over the alleged growing involvement of Israel and its military in Azerbaijan, which was recently escalated as Azerbaijan opened an embassy in Tel Aviv on March 29. Moqtadaei pointed out that as two historic neighbors that once were part of one single territory, Iran and Azerbaijan have many common interests, but Israel is only pursuing its own interests and policies and does not care for anything else.
Reaffirming that Iran has always south to support its neighbors and establish peace and security in the region, the legislator maintained that as a powerful state, Iran has never been indifferent toward the destiny and security of its Muslim neighbor, and that is why Tehran has backed Baku at various critical moments.
“We believe that while the territorial integrity of our neighbors should be respected, the cultural commonalities of them should be highlighted and deepened so that our peoples grow ever closer,” the MP said.
Moqtadaei called Azerbaijan “a precious part” of the Muslim world and stressed that Israel cannot be allowed entry to the region as a result of amateurish measures since “it would hurt the people and interests of the country in the long-term”.
“We have conveyed this to the Azerbaijani authorities because we believe that any damage dealt from that front to Azerbaijan will eventually spill over into other regional countries.”
He emphasized that the current Iranian government seek to boost relations with neighbors and ensure regional security through good neighborliness.
“We have never sought to break ties with Azerbaijan, and Iran’s strategic patience over bilateral disputes of late have been self-evident,” Moghtadaei said, adding that Azerbaijani officials should take necessary precautions in this regard lest their country be damaged.
He advised Baku to maintain its independency in various affairs and rely on its domestic capabilities and potential, warning that if its policies lead to dependence on other countries, no good shall come to them.