TEHRAN (Iran News) – Azerbaijan Ambassador to Tehran Ali Alizadeh in meeting with Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce Gholam-Hossein Shafei announced readiness of his country for Iran’s cooperation in reconstruction of Karabakh, adding that construction of schools and hospitals in Karabakh has been handed over to Iranians and there are good opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
In the meeting, Alizadeh pointed to the good and amicable ties of Iran and Azerbaijan, noting that there is a close bond between the people of these two countries and Azerbaijan President has always attached great importance to the ties with Iran and has called for broadening it.
He added that economic and trade tie plays a pivotal role in strengthening the political cooperation between the two countries and Iran Chamber of Commerce is one of the most important chambers in Iran and he is interested in talking for reinforcing economic ties of the two states.
Alizadeh said that there are many commonalities between the two countries in the fields of energy and transportation, adding that last year Azerbaijan increased its trade balance by 30% and this figure has increased by 20% early this year.
He then pointed to some good agreements between the two countries in the field of gas transportation when he was in charge of Azerbaijan consulate in Tabriz. He added that Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have agreed to increase transportation among them, adding that another project that Azerbaijan is involved in it is the construction of Astara Bridge between borders of Iran and Azerbaijani.
On the resumption of direct flight between Tehran and Baku, he said that the pandemic is the main reason for the delay. He reiterated that Baku seeks construction of two new bridges which connect Azerbaijan to Nakhijavan via Iran.
He reiterated that resolving all problems hinge on political will of leaders of the two countries and it can lead to rise in economic, trade and transit cooperation via lands of the two states.
Alizadeh went on to say that last year some part of Azerbaijan land was liberated and it created new opportunities for activities of Azeri traders with Iran, adding that Baku calls on Iranian companies to help Azerbaijan in reconstruction of Karabakh, adding that construction of schools and hospitals has been handed over to Iranians.
He added that there are great opportunities for Iranian companies and this region is to turn into smart cities and villages, reiterating that in the fields of energy, transportation and trade there are good opportunities for cooperation and Baku is committed to cooperate.
Then Shafei, for his part, pointed to the commonalities between the two countries and there is less cultural difference between the nations of the two countries. He added that Azerbaijan has progressed considerably and then pointed to the grounds for cooperation between the two states.
He added that Iran and Azerbaijan should solve shortages and this can boost transit between Iran and Azerbaijan, adding that Tehran and Baku can have bilateral or trilateral cooperation in the field of energy.
Shafei also pointed to the issue of visas for Iranian traders and called for easing it. He added that Iran and Azerbaijan can cooperate in the field of tourism, adding that despite closeness of the two countries, traders are not aware of the economic capacities of the two countries.
