AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Jan 25 2005
MEETING OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV WITH IRAN’S SUPREME
LEADER AYATOLLAH SEYED ALI KHAMENEI
[January 25, 2005, 15:17:10]
On January 25, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
met in Tehran with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in the presence of the Iranian President
Seyed Mohammad Khatami.
Warmly greeting Mr. Ilham Aliyev, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said
he was pleased to see him, and expressed confidence that this first
visit by the Azerbaijani President to Iran would foster development
of cooperation between the two friendly neighboring countries.
The Supreme Leader of Iran also mentioned and highly valued political
activities and historical services of renowned figure Heydar Aliyev
expressing his profound respect for his memory.
President Ilham Aliyev thanked Ayatollah Khamenei for the hospitality
and kind words, and expressed his deep satisfaction with the meeting
he had had with Iranian leaders. The Head of Azerbaijan State also
expressed confidence that this visit would give a powerful impetus to
development of the Iran-Azerbaijan relationship, and pointed to
availability of huge possibilities for development of cooperation
between the two friendly and neighboring countries in all fields.
Touching upon Azerbaijan’s most painful problem – the long running
conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh – President Ilham Aliyev
reminded of the 20% of the country’s lands still under occupation,
and over million refugees and IDPs still living under hard
conditions. He also advised of the talks now being held for peaceful
resolution of the conflict.
Seyed Ali Khamenei noted for his part that the conflict taking place
in the Caucasus pose a real threat to peace and stability in the
region. `Iran has always condemned Armenian aggression against
Azerbaijan, and this conflict must be solved in peace way,’ he said.
The parties also exchanged views on prospects of the Iran-Azerbaijan
cooperation, including implementation of the important transport
projects, regional situation and a number of other issues of mutual
interest.