ENLARGED MEETING OF PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND IRAN
After the private meeting, the heads of state held an enlarged meeting with participation of members of delegation.
In his opening remarks, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev once again welcomed the President of Iran and members of delegation. “After the official visit of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the Iran-Azerbaijan relations have developed in all fields – political, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields. We attach great importance to our relations, Azerbaijan continues the foreign policy line laid by Heydar Aliyev and we want these relations to develop and strengthen in all spheres”, the President of Azerbaijan stressed.
Addressing the President of Iran, President Ilham Aliyev said that the current visit is of great significance. The bilateral relations should acquire a new phase, he said. We have already discussed the matter in the private meeting, had exchange of views, and I have no doubt that these consultations will promote close cooperation in all fields, President of Azerbaijan underlined.
“Your visit to Azerbaijan will be useful and I hope that the members of delegations will have effective talks. Iran is a friendly country to Azerbaijan and I am convinced that these nice relations will continue and bring our peoples closer”
President of Iran Mohammad Khatami thanked to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and congratulated him on election as President of Azerbaijan Republic. I assure you that our relations will further develop“, he stressed.
President of Iran prayed for rest of soul of the national leader of Azerbaijan people. Then, he presented members of delegation to the Azerbaijan President. He noted: “We want to see Azerbaijan as a strong, powerful, stable and economically developed state. We welcome all actions the state of Azerbaijan takes for economic development and stability and we stand ready to render any assistance in this field. Official Iran adheres the idea that the relation between Iran and Azerbaijan should persistently develop”.
Important steps were made during the presidency of late Heydar Aliyev for the development of our bilateral relations”, President of IRI said. “We are convinced that this line will be continued in the years ahead. I hope that under Your direction the Republic of Azerbaijan will play important role in strengthening of peace and stability in the region. We reaffirm territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and re-state that the borders of Iran and Azerbaijan will be borders of peace, friendship and fraternity. We also hope we shall achieve certain agreement in the question of Caspian legal status either to ensure interests if both countries. From this standpoint, the expected Tehran Summit of the heads of the Caspian littoral states will be important step in this direction”. In the whole, there are large opportunities for all-round expansion of relations between the countries, President Khatami emphasized.
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran dwelt on the joint construction of Baku-Astara motorway and railways, development of the North-South transport corridor, and other projects in which the two states cooperate closely. “The project on gas delivery to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will also be realized. Iran’s company “Samir” intends to build 4 power stations in the territory of Azerbaijan. We are discussing currently construction of some bridges in the border zones. We have allocated credits for Azerbaijan to promote realization of economic projects”.
Further, President of IRI said: “I am today grateful that my wish has become true and I came to visit to Azerbaijan Republic. As you know, Mr. Ilham Aliyev has been invited to visit Iran by numerous delegations. Today, I once again invite Mr. Ilham Aliyev on an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Thank you.”
Expressing to the head of state of IRI gratitude for official visit, President of Azerbaijan said he would visit Iran with great pleasure.
In the meeting, also were exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest.
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