Iran, Azerbaijan Trade Ties Up 40%

"Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan have always expanded and now they are in their golden era," Asadov said at a meeting with Governor-General of Iran's Northwestern province of West Azarbaijan Mohammad Mahdi Shahriari in Urumiyeh on Wednesday.

"The volume of trade ties between Iran and Azerbaijan has increased 40% in 2018 and it can further grow given the existing capabilities and capacities," he added.

Heading a parliamentary delegation, Asadov arrived in Tehran on Tuesday. He also held separate meetings with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani and President Hassan Rouhani.

President Rouhani in a Tuesday meeting with Asadov said that developing all-out relations with Baku was of prime importance to Tehran, and voiced hope for speedy implementation of the recently concluded bilateral agreements between the two countries.

President Rouhani said that increasing mutual cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan in different fields was of special importance for Tehran.

He referred to the friendly, brotherly relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and stressed the development of comprehensive relations between Tehran and Baku for accelerating implementation of agreements between the two countries.

“Fortunately, relations between the two countries in the recent years have increased and today, we are witnessing close cooperation and ties between Tehran and Baku”, he said, adding, “because of its close culture, religion, and culture to Iran, the Azerbaijan Republic is one of the closest countries to Iran and we have had good relations with the country since its independence.”

Touching upon the need to increase cooperation in different fields such as industry, pharmaceuticals and science and technology developing, he said, “Iran and the Azerbaijan Republic took an important decision for using energy resources in the Caspian Sea.”

“I hope that with the efforts of the authorities of the two countries, we witness faster implementation of agreements because this is a win-win agreement to the interest of the two countries and nations,” he continued.

On the cooperation between the two countries in the construction of North-South Corridor, Rouhani said, “With full implementation of the North-South Corridor, the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean will be connected to Azerbaijan Republic, Russia, the Black Sea, and Eastern and Northern Europe.”

“The legal regime of the Caspian Sea is very important for all Caspian Sea littoral states and to date, good steps have been taken in this regard among the countries.”