AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Jan 27 2005

Khatami states support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity

President Ilham Aliyev’s long-awaited visit to Tehran represents a
particular importance in terms of regional security and major
economic projects between the two countries. Iranian President
Mohammad Khatami said

in his meeting with Aliyev on Monday that Iran is interested in
expanding ties with Azerbaijan in all areas. He said the Azerbaijani
President is one of the few officials whose visit is closely followed
by the Iranian media and public.
“I have been looking forward to this visit and this finally came
true”, President Aliyev said in reply. He gave a high assessment to
the Azerbaijan-Iran relations and voiced confidence that the
documents to be signed will be beneficial.

Aliyev told a press conference following the meeting that bilateral
relations are developing rapidly and their current level meets the
two countries’ interests. He also pointed out that there is a
potential to further strengthen the ties in an efficient manner.
Khatami said with regard to the Upper Garabagh conflict that Iran
supports Azerbaijan’s stance.
“Our position is clear and Iran is one of the very few countries that
support Azerbaijan’s position. We support a conflict resolution not
by force but through talks and diplomacy.”
Khatami also said Iran is ready to cooperate with the conflicting
sides in resolving the Garabagh problem.
In reply to a question about reasons for Iran’s expressing a firm
position on the Palestine issue but not on the Garabagh problem,
Khatami said he condemns occupation by any country.
“Israel has completely occupied the Palestine territory . However,
unlike Israel, Armenia has not occupied a large portion of
Azerbaijan’ land.”
President Aliyev’s Tuesday meetings with the chairman of the Iranian
Islamic Council Assembly Haddad Adil and chairman of the State
Advisory Council, Iran’s former President Alakbar Hashimi Rafsanjani
focused on the Upper Garabagh conflict.
“Azerbaijan’s biggest problem is the Armenian aggression,” said
President Aliyev, expressing his disappointment with the fact that
peace talks have been fruitless so far.
The President also voiced his satisfaction with the approach of
regional countries, including Iran, to the conflict settlement issue.
He said, however, that “regional countries should be more actively
involved in the conflict resolution.” Afterwards, President Aliyev
had a meeting with Iran’s high religious leader Ali Khamnei, who
remarkably spoke Azeri.
Khamnei stated that certain countries are opposed to the
Iran-Azerbaijan friendship.
“We will always be friendly neighboring countries regardless of what
happens around the world.”
President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan, as a sovereign country,
pursues an independent policy. Developing relations with Iran meets
Azerbaijan’s interests and no force may impede this, he said.
On the same day, President Aliyev visited the Khodro automobile
plant. The leadership of the plant, which produces small and large
buses along with Mercedes and Peugeot cars, presented a ‘Samand’ car
to the Azerbaijani President.
Aliyev also met with Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani and
visited the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran.
On Wednesday, the President will hold another meeting with Khatami to
be followed by signing of about 10 documents covering the political,
economic, transport, energy and cultural fields.
A $1 million grant to be allocated by Iran will be spent on building
the Shahtakhti-Poldashti bridge over the Araz River in the Nakhchivan
Autonomous Republic. Iran also plans to allot $4 million in loans for
the construction of the Astara-Baku highway.
President Aliyev will wrap up his visit to Iran after visiting
Azerbaijan’s Chief Consulate in Tabriz.