Ambassador of Iran in Azerbaijan Afshar Suleymani held press conference

He said that Iranian delegation on air transport which was on a visit in Baku recently signed a document with Azerbaijani side. In accordance with the document, Tabriz-Baku airline is possible to be realized by shorter corridor. It is useful economically and can economize time as well.

According to the ambassador, Iran allocated corridor from its space area for Baku-Nakhchivan airlines by the offer of Azerbaijani side. By the signing of one more document "AzAl" and "Iran Air" companies will sell each other's tickets.

The ambassador stated that, today a credit contract in the value of $75 million has been signed between Economic Development Bank of Iran and "Azerenerji" Open Stock Company in Baku. Presentation ceremony of the project on regional cooperation in the field of power engineering will be held. A.Suleymani stressed that his country joined TRACECA yesterday. The ambassador stated the importance of Azerbaijan and Iran from transit standpoint, land water and air transport relations between the two countries are strengthening. Talking about Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia railway cooperation, the ambassador stated that a meeting will be held in the frame of this project in Iran on May 3.

Expressing opinion on intensive ceasefire violations in the frontline, the diplomat stated that, his country was in had been condition for 8 years, so he knows the bitter taste of war quite well. The ambassador stressed again that Iran recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and supports the peaceful solution of the conflict.

Talking about the visa regime between the two countries, A.Suleymani said that, in accordance with the agreement signed between MFAs of Azerbaijan and Iran in 1993, those going to Azerbaijan from Iran by air and shop and to Iran from Azerbaijan for 15 days were not demanded visa. After some periods this was stopped: "Now those having diplomatic and official passports are not demanded visas, those living 45km away from the border can go from one country into another freely 3 times a year. The offer of Iranian side on simplifying the visa regime and decreasing the tax from 40 dollars has not been answered by Azerbaijani side yet."

The ambassador also expressed opinion on the opinions of Condoleezza Rice about velvet revolution in Iran. He stated that, every country has its own traditions, its own people and the authority is elected by the people: "The democracy written in other country can't be applied in the other country. It would be better for every country to preserve democracy in its own state".

/APA/