Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 17 2004

AZERBAIJAN, IRAN: RELATIONS SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES JUSTICE MINISTER OF
IRAN
[June 17, 2004, 20:12:35]

President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received justice
minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammadismail Shushteri on
17 June.

Warmly greatening the guest, President Ilham Aliyev said that the
relations between the two countries are successful and we are pleased
with this. Political links are strengthening. We are very delighted
that our economic links also develop. We attach great significance to
it. We have high-level relations in other fields as well. There is
also good cooperation between the justice bodies of our countries and
your visit will strengthen it, President said. I am aware that in the
frame of this visit, you have signed Memo on co-op and that you have
a tense schedule and a number of meetings. This pleases me. We want
the Iranian-Azerbaijani relations to expand and deepen in numerous
fields.

Noting that he has close personal links with the Iranian President
Khatemi, President of Azerbaijan said that the heads of other
departments, ministries should also set close relations among them.
Your visit serves this goal, President Ilham Aliyev underlined.

Expressing his gratitude for sincere reception and feeling honor from
the meeting with Azerbaijan President, justice minister of Iran
conveyed greetings of President Khatemi to the Head of Azerbaijan
State. He said that the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan develop
with joint efforts. And it has many factors. We try to develop these
ties day by day. We watched political activity of esteemed President
Heydar Aliyev. His last visit to Iran was a turning point in our
relations.

Noting that he has visited tomb of the national leader of Azerbaijan
people Heydar Aliyev and laid wreath, the guest said that it is
natural existence of some problems between the states, stressing that
these should not impede the major issues. The officials of both
countries attach great importance to the Iran-Azerbaijan relations.
There is no any country in the region as Iran and Azerbaijan with
such common and historical roots.

Noting that the relations between the justice ministries of both
countries are developing day by day, Mr. Shushteri said that the
current visit has promoted to sign three documents – on cooperation
among the court and executive bodies and extradition of prisoners. We
also attach great importance to cooperation in the political,
economic and legal spheres.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, the
Minister expressed hope for fair settlement of this problem. He said:
“We hope the forthcoming visit of President Khatemi to Azerbaijan
will be a new phase in the bilateral relations between our countries.
We have greatly honored President Heydar Aliyev. We had deep respect
for this personality for his faith and position. He has great role in
development of Azerbaijan Republic. We hope, as his successor, you
will make your contributions to this cause”.

Expressing gratitude to the Minister for kind words, President Ilham
Aliyev said:

You are right. Heydar Aliyev attached great importance to these
relations. As a result of his last visit to Iran, the bilateral
relations between our countries received strong impetus in all
fields. Heydar Aliyev’s policy on the Iran-Azerbaijan relations will
be certainly continued. It was his policy, and we continue it. Heydar
Aliyev had nice personal links with President Khatemi. Personal links
have nice influence on the bilateral relations between the countries.
I, therefore, would like once again say that I have close relations
with President Khatemi, too. We have mutual respect and honor. Taking
the opportunity, I offer my greetings to him and convey, please,
assurances of my highest considerations to Mr. Khatemi. We
impatiently wait him in Azerbaijan. Of course, I also will visit
Iran”.

Justice minister of Azerbaijan Fikret Mammadov, head of department of
President Administration Fuad Alaskarov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to
Iran Abbasali Hasanov, ambassador of Iran to Azerbaijan Ahad Gazai
were attending the reception.