IranMania, Iran
Jan 25 2005
Khatami, Aliyev optimistic about enhancing cooperation
LONDON, Jan 25 (IranMania) – Immediately after the formal ceremony to
welcome Azeribaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, Iranian and Azeri
presidents expressed their desire for expanding Tehran-Baku
relations.
President Mohammad Khatami accompanied by President Ilham Aliyev told
reporters at Sadabad Complex that Iran is keen on further development
of relations with Azerbaijan Republic, IRNA reported.
Responding to an Azeri reporter about what Iran will do to help
resolve Karabakh crisis, President Khatami said that Iran is among
the few countries which supports Azerbaijan’s national sovereignty
and territorial integrity.
“Iran believes that the Karabakh crisis would be resolved through
logic and understanding between the two parties without resorting to
force. I believe that Karabakh conflict will be resolved if the two
sides seriously decide to do so,” he said.
Khatami noted that Iran has friendly relations with both Azerbaijan
and Armenia and is ready to mediate between them to help resolve the
crisis at the earliest.
Whether there is similarity between the occupation of Arab lands by
the Zionist Israeli regime and occupation of Karabakh by Armenia, the
Iranian president said Iran condemns occupation and use of force by
any country.
“Of course, there is a difference. I believe Israel has occupied the
entire Palestine and established an illegitimate existence, but
Armenia is a country itself. But at the same time, occupation and
seizure of an inch of the other’s territory is condemned and the
international community should help end the occupation,” Khatami
said.
President Aliyev told reporters that his visit to Iran is aimed at
developing relations in all fields, including the economy.
He pointed to the accords President Khatami signed during his visit
to Baku and said Azerbaijan is keen on the implementation of these
accords.
Aliyev further said Tehran-Baku relations are developing rapidly and
political and economic cooperation is excellent.
“The exchange of visits by presidents of the two countries indicates
the extent of relations enjoyed by the two countries,” he said.