TEHRAN (Iran News) – Tehran-Baku Trade Around $500m, Can Be Enhanced. Iran’s former ambassador to Azerbaijan says the volume of the non-oil trade cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan is around $500m, adding that by launching some projects this figure can increase considerably.
Speaking to ILNA, Mohsen Pak-Aeen said that Iran should prioritize the issue of reconstruction of Karabakh in its cooperation with Azerbaijan as the Azeri side is keen to cooperate in this issue. He added that this can be done bilaterally or multilaterally, adding that for example, Iran can advance the reconstruction projects in cooperation with countries like Georgia, Turkey and Russia.
Touching upon the trade relations between Tehran and Baku, he said the relation between the two countries is very good and it is broadening every day, adding that in the joint commission meeting last year in Tehran, the two countries reach an agreement on several projects in the fields of trade, energy, transit and tourism which are currently underway.
Pointing to the reconstruction of Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s war with Armenia, Pak-Aeen said that reconstruction of Karabakh has not yet started and what is said that some countries have reached agreements to implement projects in Karabakh is just assumption and no major reconstruction project has been implemented.
He added that Azerbaijan is currently busy with demining for the security of the region, and Iranians are active in the project of demining in Karabakh. He reiterated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is in serious interaction with Azerbaijan for reconstruction of Karabakh and Azeris have welcomed it and they are in the early stage of study for how to reconstruct the region.
Pak-Aeen also urged the new Iranian government to pay serious attention on the cooperation with Azerbaijan which is very important for Iran either in terms of economic or security aspects.
He added fortunately the political relation between Iran and Azerbaijan is very strong and this relation is based on mutual respect and trust. He noted there is strong will in both countries for strengthening economic cooperation and the government and private sector should take advantage of this favorable political climate between the two states.
On the projects that Iranians are currently involved in Azerbaijan, he said the major project is the construction of the power station in Azerbaijan and Iran is seeking involvement in the projects in the major infrastructural fields of Azerbaijan like water, electricity and gas in Karabakh.
Pak-Aeen added that Iran is currently busy in two projects of construction of Khoda Afarin and Marazad Dams and the country seeks projects for construction of more power stations.
He noted that Iran is the closest country to Azerbaijan which can provide it with its required goods and the talks are underway for increasing the export of goods from Iran to Azerbaijan.
He said currently the non-oil trade between Iran and Azerbaijan is around $500m, adding that there are other projects in the fields of energy and gas swap from Azerbaijan to Nakhijavan which can lead for making more money.
