Pezeshkian dismisses divisive bids targeting Iran–Azerbaijan ties
Tehran - BORNA - The chief executive made the remarks during a meeting with the visiting Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev in Tehran on Monday.
The former pointed to the underway hostile efforts, which seek to obstruct the formation of productive relations in the region, asserting, “Given the determination and willpower of the leaders of the Muslim world, such attempts by ill-wishers are doomed to fail.”
The Islamic Republic’s foreign policy approach, he added, has historically accorded priority to strengthening of relations and consolidation of unity and brotherhood with Muslim countries.
The president went on to make specific reference to the Islamic Republic’s relations with Azerbaijan, describing the ties as brotherly, rooted in deep cultural and religious commonality, and inseparable.
“We are keen to see these relations expand across all political, economic, and cultural spheres, and there are no obstacles to the development of [our] bilateral cooperation and interaction.”
For his part, the Azerbaijani official conveyed President Ilham Aliyev’s warm greetings, noting how the Azeri head of state attached “great importance” to expansion of the bilateral relations.
Mustafayev hailed Pezeshkian’s visit to Azerbaijan in April for opening a “new chapter” in the ties, besides presenting a detailed report on the achievements that were made towards enhancement of the relations during the trip.
Baku, the official noted, was pursuing implementation of the memoranda of understanding signed throughout the visit “with seriousness and commitment.”
Pezeshkian traveled to the Azeri capital at the head of a senior delegation in April. The visit featured a joint statement covering the various aspects of the trip, as well as the signing of MoUs on political consultation, transportation, cultural exchanges, healthcare cooperation, media, and investment.
In August, Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia signed a United States-mediated "peace deal" that led to concerns about American interventionism.
Officials from both Baku and Yerevan, however, assured Tehran afterwards about their countries’ determination to preserve their neighborly relations with the Islamic Republic and prevent the ties from being adversely affected by third parties.
The Azeri official, meanwhile, roundly dismissed media rumors about Baku’s “cooperation” with the Israeli regime and the United States during their unprovoked war on Iran in June.
“Azerbaijan, based on its adherence to [the principle of] good neighborliness and respect for the territorial integrity of its neighbors, has never allowed and will never allow its territory or airspace to be used by any party towards waging aggression against the Islamic Republic,” he said.
“We consider any rumor or claim in this regard to be false and categorically reject it.”
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