Official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the İslamic Republic of İran

An official welcoming ceremony for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been held in Tehran.

President Ilham Aliyev arrived at Sadabad Palace accompanied by the cavalry.

A guard of honor was arranged for the Azerbaijani President in a square in front of Sadabad Palace decorated with national flags of the two countries.

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani welcomed President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

National anthems of Iran and Azerbaijan were played.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Azerbaijan.

The heads of state reviewed the guard of honor.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Iran Hassan Rouhani posed for official photos.

State and government officials of Iran were introduced to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, while members of the Azerbaijani delegation were introduced to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Following the official welcoming ceremony, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani have held a one-on-one meeting.

The presidents expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperative relations between the two countries. The sides had a wide exchange of views over the further development of ties in all fields in line with the best interests of the two countries and peoples, including in the bilateral format and within international organizations.

Following their private talk, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani have held an expanded meeting.

President Hassan Rouhani said that the official visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Iran was of great importance and would contribute to further development of cooperation between the two countries. Today, this cooperation is developing dynamically and covers all areas.

The Iranian president stressed that the documents to be signed during the visit would contribute to the development of our relations and praised the work of the State Commission for Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran in economic, trade and humanitarian spheres. The head of the Iranian state said that the current development of relations was based on historical proximity and friendship between the two countries and peoples. President Hassan Rouhani said that our relations had already reached the level of strategic partnership, which puts forward the important task of further developing our relations in all spheres.

Stressing that Iran acted on the principle of territorial integrity of countries, President Hassan Rouhani said his country recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He stressed the unacceptability of interference in the internal affairs of states in international affairs. The head of the Iranian state also noted the importance of cooperation between our countries in the field of security.

President Ilham Aliyev said that our relations had a long history and rested on a solid foundation. The head of state congratulated the President and the people of Iran on the lifting of sanctions against this country. Noting the fact that the positions of Azerbaijan and Iran overlapped on many issues, President Ilham Aliyev stressed that despite the tensions experienced in the region, both countries were a model of stability. The President of Azerbaijan stressed the importance of a fair approach in international and inter-state relations, stability and security, and stressed the importance of cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

During the meeting, the sides also pointed to the need for stepping up efforts to develop economic cooperation between the two countries, including the fields of energy, investment, banking, trade, tourism, transport, infrastructure, culture, etc. It was stressed that the Caspian Sea was a sea of friendship and cooperation. The sides also discussed the possibilities of joint cooperation of Azerbaijan and Iran with other countries.

The parties expressed concern at the increasing Islamophobic trends and discussed ways to prevent such phenomena.

After the expanded meeting, a ceremony of signing the documents has been held with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov and Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif signed “The Agreement on cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in eliminating, limiting and reducing the impact of consequences of emergency situations”.

Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Aydin Aliyev and Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) Masoud Karbasian signed “The agreement on mutual administrative assistance in customs issues between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Agriculture Heydar Asadov and Iranian Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati signed “The Agreement on cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of veterinary and animal healthcare”.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev and Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi signed “The Framework Agreement on the sale of electric power between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev and Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi signed “The Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the coordination of railways of Azerbaijan and Iran”.

Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CSC Javid Gurbanov and Iran's Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and President of Iranian Railways Mohsen Pour Seyed Aghaei signed “The Agreement between Azerbaijan Railways CSC and the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways on construction of a railway bridge over the Astara river on Azerbaijan-Iran state border”.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov and Iran's Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi signed “The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Health Ogtay Shiraliyev and Iran`s Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education Seyed Hassan Hashemi signed “The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation in the field of healthcare and medical science”.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev and Iranian Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare Ali Rabiei signed “The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic Rovnag Abdullayev and Managing Director of National Iranian Oil Company Roknoddin Javadi signed “The Memorandum of Understanding between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and National Iranian Oil Company”.

President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic Rovnag Abdullayev and President of Iranian Ghadir Investment Company Soleimany Amiri signed “The Memorandum of Understanding between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and Ghadir Investment Company”.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

The sides exchanged views over the prospects for the development of cooperation between the two countries and nations, which, they said, shared historic, religious and cultural roots. The importance of joint efforts to ensure security and stability in the region was emphasized. It was noted that this issue was discussed at the meetings of the two countries` presidents. The sides also said the documents signed during the visit would contribute to the development of cooperation and strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran in all fields.

On the same day the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev completed his official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Azerbaijani President at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran.

President Ilham Aliyev was seen of by high-ranking state and government officials of Iran.