THE CLOSER POSITIONS OF AZERBAIJAN AND IRAN, THE BETTER: AZERBAIJANI MP
Today
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Oct 28 2009
Azerbaijan
Iran’s move to unilaterally lift the visa regime between Azerbaijan
and Iran is a positive development in bilateral relations, Azerbaijani
member of parliament and member of Azerbaijan-Iran Parliamentary
Friendship Group Asef Hajiyev said.
"Azerbaijan has an important geo-strategic location at the crossroads
of East and West. Our state has views close to those of the Europe
while majority of the country’s population is Muslim. Therefore,
Iran is interested in Azerbaijan-Iran rapprochement and warming of
relations between the two countries," the MP said.
"On the other hand, Azerbaijan has reason to be offended by Iran.
Tehran helps Yerevan in many areas and is building a gas pipeline
to Armenia."
"Given that millions of Azerbaijanis live in Iran, the closer the
positions of Azerbaijan and Iran, the better," he added.
"Azerbaijan should not rush to cancel the visa regime with Iran.
Azerbaijan should be very careful and act on basis of only Azerbaijan’s
national interests," he said.
"If time shows that lifting the visa regime benefits Azerbaijan,
it can take the similar step as well," the MP said.