Azerbaijan to adhere to independent policy if USA attacks Iran – aide

Ekspress, Baku
29 Jan 05

Azerbaijan will adhere to its independent policy if the USA invades
Iran, Azerbaijani presidential aide Novruz Mammadov has said. In his
interview with Ekspress newspaper, Mammadov said that Azerbaijan gives
priority to neighbourly relations with Iran. Azerbaijan and Iran have
historic religious and cultural relations, Iran supports Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and economic cooperation with Iran is of benefit
to Azerbaijan, he said. Given the situation of the Azerbaijani exclave
of Naxcivan, cooperation with Iran is very important to us, Mammadov
added, praising the Azerbaijani president’s recent visit to Tehran.
The following is an excerpt from Alakbar Raufoglu’s report by
Azerbaijani newspaper Ekspress on 29 January headlined “If the USA
invades Iran” and subheaded “Novruz Mammadov: ‘Azerbaijan will give
priority to neighbourly relations'”. Subheadings have been inserted
editorially:

“If the USA takes action against Iran, Azerbaijan will adhere to its
independent policy,” the head of the foreign relations department of
the Azerbaijani Presidential Executive Staff, Novruz Mammadov, told
Ekspress newspaper yesterday. Baku’s approach to relations with Tehran
is based only on neighbourliness, and any ideological or other
elements are ruled out, he said.

Relations with Iran beneficial

Mammadov A number of factors determine the high-level development of
Azerbaijan’s relations with Iran. First, there are ancient historical,
religious, cultural and other links between our states and peoples.
Second, Iran has always supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity,
demonstrating its unequivocal position on the Karabakh conflict.
Third, our relations are beneficial economically, i.e. Iran and
Azerbaijan are close to each other and there is no need to bring
equipment from afar or engage in any other activities. In addition,
given the situation of the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic Azerbaijani
exclave , Iranian aid is very important for us.

Finally, we maintain relations with Iran simply as two states because
we are their neighbours, have a very long border and there are no
ideological or other elements in our relations. At the same time, we
have to use Iran’s opportunities for Azerbaijan’s state and national
interests in a positive sense. From this viewpoint, one can speak
highly about the Azerbaijani president’s recent visit to Iran. The
main issue that characterizes our relations is that documents which we
have signed are implemented in a short time. The attitude to the
Azerbaijani president both in Tehran and Tabriz demonstrates that this
country is very interested in expanding and intensifying its relations
with us, and we realize this. In addition, we have an interest of this
kind, too.

Visa regime

Correspondent Tehran proposes repealing the visa regime between the
two countries. How is this issue being resolved?

Mammadov All issues are first examined by experts to learn their
positive and negative sides both for Iran and Azerbaijan. The visa
regime is about to be examined now. We have to bear in mind that
Azerbaijan is a young state and its geopolitical and geographic
situation is complicated. Our decisions have to be appropriate to
this. Speaking about the complicated situation, I mean the border
because at different times there have been various circles that used
Azerbaijan as a transit route. Given this, the aforesaid issue should
be thoroughly examined to make a correct decision.

A simplified visa regime between the countries is currently operating
within 45 km on both sides of the border and this is normal because
Azerbaijan’s territory is not very large. Those who want to travel
beyond these 45 km can apply for a visa and there are no restrictions
in this regard. Our general consulate has already opened in Tabriz and
it is not very difficult to get a visa.

Defence minister’s visit linked to border problems

Correspondent During his recent visit to Baku, Iranian Minister of
Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Ali Shamkhani invited Azerbaijani
Defence Minister Safar Abiyev to Tehran. Is any agreement expected
between Iran and Azerbaijan in this strategic sphere in the near
future?

Mammadov In fact, visits of this kind are mainly connected with
security issues between the two countries, i.e. guaranteeing the
security of our borders means guaranteeing the security of our
country. The issues discussed in the talks with Shamkhani are mostly
of this nature.

Correspondent The US leadership announced again its plans with regard
to Tehran in the run-up to the Azerbaijani president’s visit to
Iran. Some people describe this as Washington’s specific attitude to
Baku-Tehran relations.

Mammadov This is not a correct position. In any case, the US
president, the Department of State and the National Security Council
are very well aware of Azerbaijan’s location and its neighbours. The
establishment of good relations with the neighbouring states is a
priority in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Second, if this is viewed as
a message, in the run-up to the Azerbaijani president’s visit to Iran,
President Bush sent a message on the occasion of Id al-Adha and
stressed his interest in developing friendly relations with
Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is a member of the anti-terror coalition

Correspondent Generally speaking, has Azerbaijan signed any agreement
on the use of Azerbaijan’s air space, territorial waters and territory
within the framework of the anti-terror coalition?

Mammadov There is no such official agreement even between the USA and
Britain. We are simply a member of the anti-terror coalition and have
declared this ourselves. We had a verbal agreement on the Afghanistan
issue.

Passage omitted: about Azerbaijan’s involvement in the fight on terror
in Afghanistan

Correspondent In any case, there was a verbal agreement. If the USA
starts military operations against Iran, which it has described as
part of the “axis of evil”, what position will Azerbaijan take?

Mammadov First, no US invasion of Iran, as was the case with Iraq, is
on the agenda at the moment. For our part, we give priority to
neighbourly relations in such cases, i.e. we adhere to our independent
policy during operations of this kind.

Passage omitted: about Iran’s policy on Armenia; talks on the Karabakh
conflict