Culture minister urges swift rollout of Azerbaijan accords
Iran’s Culture Minister Abbas Salehi told Azerbaijan’s ambassador in Tehran that it is time to put into effect the cultural agreements signed between the two neighbors.
The push reflects efforts by both countries to deepen exchanges in arts, media and heritage after a lull in recent years. Officials said implementing the accords, many of which were signed during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Baku, would pave the way for regular cultural events, media collaboration and exchanges between artists, IRNA reported.
Salehi described Iran and Azerbaijan as “one family with different borders” bound by history and memory.
He said recent presidential meetings had opened “fresh opportunities” for broader cooperation. “We must now make sure the signed documents are carried out. Based on them, we can launch multiple and diverse projects with tangible results,” he said.
The minister noted that cultural ties had briefly stalled but were now back on track, stressing that cultural cooperation forms the backbone of political and economic relations.
He welcomed the idea of hosting cultural weeks, recalling Azerbaijan’s “generous hospitality” during an earlier Iranian cultural week in Baku.
Salehi also pointed to media agreements, saying they could help convey “a correct image” of each country to the other.
He underlined the importance of exchange programs, including art workshops, educational classes and visits by performers.
Azerbaijan’s envoy Ali Alizade echoed the call, saying Iran holds “a special place” in Baku’s foreign policy. He praised Pezeshkian’s trip as a turning point for relations and highlighted the “many commonalities” shared by the two nations.
“The time is right to resume cultural weeks, and we are fully ready to host Iranian events in Azerbaijan and organize Azerbaijani events in Iran,” Alizade said.