President Rouhani: Iran Firm to Follow Joint Economic Projects with Azerbaijan

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is seriously following the implementation of joint projects on oil exploration and extraction in the Caspian Sea and we hope that these issues are closely discussed at the meeting of joint commissions of the two countries," Rouhani said on Tuesday, during the meeting with Mustafayev.

Rouhani described having common cultural and historical roots as a good opportunity for further development of Tehran-Baku relations, saying, "The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan have been able to take very good steps in the development of relations by relying on wisdom and tactfulness."

After receiving the written message of President Ilham Aliyev, Rouhani said, "Without a doubt, the visits of high-ranking delegations of the two countries and the cordial message of President Ilham Aliyev are effective in the development of relations."

Expressing satisfaction over the cooperation and implementation of agreements between the two countries, he said, "I hope that the recent agreements that we have had with the President of Azerbaijan in Baku would be implemented as soon as possible."

"Cooperation in carrying out joint projects, specially Khoda Afarin Dam and Power Plant can transform the process of deepening ties between the two countries," said the President, adding, "Constructing power plants in border areas is very important, and we hope that the joint project of Rasht-Astara Railway, which has been agreed upon, is implemented sooner."

He went on to stress the development of scientific and technological relations, saying, "Tehran is ready to cooperate with Baku in all technological fields and we hope that the creation of a joint industrial part can further deepen ties".

On the importance of tourism and the environment, he said, "I hope that the two countries have effective cooperation in these fields, especially the Caspian Sea".

"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the development of bilateral and trilateral relations and cooperation as a factor that deepens Tehran-Baku and Moscow relations," he said.

At the same meeting, Mustafayev said, "President Ilham Aliyev attaches great weight to friendship with you and cementing relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we are seriously pursuing ways to develop ties with Iran in all fields of mutual interest."

He described negotiations during his visit very effective and constructive, saying, "Today, we are witnessing the development of relations and cooperation between Tehran and Baku in all fields of mutual interest."

"The volume of trade between the two countries has increased threefold since 2014 and the number of Iranian companies working in the Republic of Azerbaijan has increased 50 percent from a year ago," he said.

Late in October, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian and his Azeri counterpart exchanged views on the development of bilateral relations in the field of energy, and underlined the need for deepening mutual cooperation.

A couple of days earlier, Iran's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad Jahangirzadeh announced that executive works to set up a joint industrial township will kick off by Tehran and Baku in the near future.

“Construction of the industrial township is to set up processing industry for agricultural products and producing industrial outputs in order to export them to the two countries and other regional states,” Jahangirzadeh said, addressing a meeting of 60-member delegation of Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Chamber of Commerce in Baku.

The Iranian ambassador said that the embassy in Azerbaijan is ready to offer guidance for Iranian businessmen to develop economic cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Jahangirzadeh hoped that Tehran-Baku commercial relations would hit $600 million a year in the near future.

Iran exported goods worth $290 million to Azerbaijan Republic in six months.

In a relevant development earlier in October, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Tehran Bunyad Huseynov said that his country is interested in further expanding commercial and economic ties with Iran, and lauded the significant 74% growth in the volume of bilateral trade.

In a relevant development in December 2018, Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Republic Ogtay Asadov announced that the volume of trade ties between his country and Iran had jumped 40 percent.

“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.

"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.