President urges expansion of transport links to deepen Iran-Azerbaijan ties
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday called for the expansion of land, air and rail links between Iran and Azerbaijan, saying stronger connectivity would help deepen ties between the two neighboring countries.
Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, as the two sides discussed ways to expand bilateral relations, IRNA reported.
“Land, air and rail routes between the two countries should be developed further, because the more these routes are connected and strengthened, the more opportunities there will be to increase and consolidate ties between the two nations,” Pezeshkian said.
Pezeshkian said Azerbaijan held a special place in Iran’s neighborhood policy and that the two countries’ scientific, cultural, economic, political and security relations were interconnected.
“Our relations in the scientific, cultural, economic, political and security fields are intertwined, and we should further deepen and strengthen these ties through joint efforts and commitment,” he said.
He also said borders should not become an obstacle to expanding bilateral relations and called for greater use of the two countries’ shared border and geographical position to strengthen interaction and cooperation.
Pezeshkian welcomed understandings reached during Mustafayev’s visit and his meetings with Iran’s ministers of roads and urban development and energy, calling for their swift implementation.
“We hope that the understandings reached will enter the implementation stage as soon as possible through serious commitment and follow-up by both sides,” he said.
“We should, through cooperation and a shared determination, move toward achieving the two countries’ agreed goals and serving the mutual interests of the two nations,” Pezeshkian added.
Mustafayev, for his part, stressed Azerbaijan’s determination to further develop relations with Iran and called for the follow-up and implementation of agreements and understandings between the two countries.
He also highlighted the shared determination of Tehran and Baku to expand transport and connectivity cooperation, stressing the importance of strengthening transport and corridor links and making use of existing capacities.
Separately, after his meeting with Mustafayev on Tuesday, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said that the two sides had reviewed existing potential for expanding energy cooperation and would follow up on agreed areas through joint working groups.
“The focus of the meeting was mainly on energy cooperation between the two countries,” Paknejad said after his third meeting with Mustafayev.
He said the two sides had held detailed discussions on energy trade and other areas of cooperation, taking into account the significant potential in Azerbaijan.
Paknejad said it had been agreed that the issues would be pursued through working groups designated by both sides to achieve results.