Baku, October 24, AZERTAC

“Close relations between AZERTAC and IRNA can be a role model for other countries’ media outlets,” said Managing Director of the Iranian IRNA News Agency Seyyed Zia Hashemi as he met with AZERTAC Chairman of Board Aslan Aslanov as part of his visit to Baku to attend the 6th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

Managing Director Hashemi said that IRNA attaches great importance to cooperation with AZERTAC, hailing its influence within the media community.

He recalled the Tehran-hosted OANA Executive Board meeting as well as his meeting with OANA president, AZERTAC Chairman of Board Aslan Aslanov on the sidelines of this meeting, and thanked Mr Aslanov for supporting IRNA within international news alliances.

“Close relations between AZERTAC and IRNA are an example to other countries’ media organizations. Iran-Azerbaijan relations are developing in line with the will of the both countries’ presidents. I am confident that the friendly relations between our two countries and peoples will continue strengthening. Our agencies also do their utmost to contribute to the development of this cooperation,” Zia Hashemi said.

IRNA Managing Director described the issues to be discussed during the 6th Baku International Humanitarian Forum as particularly pressing. He hailed the importance of a breakout session on “Disinformation Policy - a Threat to Stability in the Modern World” to be organized by AZERTAC as part of the forum. He noted that both Azerbaijan and Iran suffer from fake news spread by enemy forces. He emphasized the necessity of joining efforts in order to minimize the impact of fake news.

Chairman of the Board of AZERTAC Aslan Aslanov hailed the fact that thanks to the Azerbaijani and Iranian presidents’ joint efforts the bilateral relations between the two countries are constantly developing. He described Iran as a close neighbor and friendly country to Azerbaijan.

“We follow the news concerning Iran with great sensitivity. Azerbaijan and Iran have ancient historical ties and common culture. National news agencies of both countries play an important role in deepening relations between our nations,” AZERTAC Chairman of Board Aslan Aslanov said. He hailed Azerbaijan`s successful and rapid development in all areas, saying it has become a venue for discussing global challenges. “Great attention is paid to the development of media in our country. Azerbaijan today presents its models and brands to the world in various fields.”

Aslan Aslanov also praised AZERTAC’s and IRNA’s mutual support within international news organizations.

They noted that AZERTAC and IRNA have always enjoyed excellent relations and this relationship contributes to further expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran in the field of information.

The sides described the misinformation policy as a serious threat to global peace and stability. Aslan Aslanov highlighted the Armenian lobby’s regularly spreading false news about Azerbaijan and Armenia’s policy of aggression against Azerbaijan. He said the Armenians commit atrocities in the occupied Azerbaijani lands, and destroy Azerbaijan’s religious and national monuments.