Hikmat Hajiyev: Azerbaijan, Iran must continue economic cooperation, strengthen bilateral ties

Azerbaijan and Iran must continue and strengthen their economic cooperation. We are a happy country developing in the Eurasian region. We have multifaceted cooperation with Turkiye, Russia, and Iran, said Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, at a panel of the Tehran Dialogue Forum, Report informs via AZERTAC.

In this regard, he touched upon the importance of the 3+3 format. Emphasizing the importance of increasing the functionality of regional organizations in the region, he highlighted the activities of the Economic Cooperation Organization, CICA, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. "We also cooperate with Iran within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Because the principle of Islamic solidarity is important to us," added H. Hajiyev.

Stating that Azerbaijan and Iran have a common historical past, the President's Assistant said: "We can create and develop models for partnership together. We should not allow anyone to create an order for us; we must think about prosperity and development ourselves." Hikmat Hajiyev also spoke about the economic reforms implemented in Azerbaijan and the infrastructure projects of international importance. He emphasized that we must use real opportunities to benefit ourselves and our partners. In this regard, he touched upon the importance of the North-South project, which is redesigning the Eurasian transport corridor, saying: "We must try to build a new security architecture for ourselves and identify the projects to be implemented."

Responding to a question about Palestine, Hajiyev noted: "The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is one of the most important institutions that exists. Azerbaijan also supports Islamic solidarity based on justice and international law. We support the "two-state" solution for the Palestinian issue based on UN decisions and resolutions.

Based on its distinct geopolitical identity, Azerbaijan is conducting active diplomatic activities in different regions - the South Caucasus, the Caspian and Black Sea basins, the post-Soviet space, Central Asia, the Middle East, and others."

Commenting on the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Hajiyev emphasized: "Now Azerbaijan has created a new status quo and reality in the region. There is a favorable environment for peace. The Victory we achieved came at the cost of our people's blood. Military elements - especially military aggression and occupation - have been removed from the agenda in the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The occupation was ended by military and political means. Azerbaijan wants to lead the region towards peace and stability. We know that the constitution is the internal affair of every country, provided that it does not pose a threat to another country or have territorial claims. Armenia's constitution still contains a territorial claim against Azerbaijan, and this provision must be removed from there. Regional issues should be resolved by the countries of the region themselves. Unfortunately, some foreign forces are trying to interfere in the region and carry out geopolitical intrigues. Tensions and non-constructive processes are observed in the international relations system in the modern era."

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Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev spoke at the Dialogue Forum in Tehran about the need to strengthen relations with Iran, emphasized the priority of regional stability and commented on the prospects for a peace treaty with Armenia, Report informs via IRNA.

Speaking at the event, the presidential assistant said that Baku is in favor of expanding regional cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere.

"Azerbaijan and Iran should develop economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations," he emphasized, pointing out that Azerbaijan's geopolitical position requires active interaction with its neighbors.

According to Hajiyev, Baku supports the development of multilateral formats.

"We are in an advantageous position in the Eurasian space: we have Türkiye, Russia and Iran. We support multilateral cooperation and attach importance to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, because the principle of solidarity is important to us," he noted.

The presidential aide also emphasized the role of Azerbaijan in regional communications: "We have a connection with the Black Sea, and we can take advantage of it. Together we can create and develop partnership models."

Referring to the prospects of a peace treaty with Armenia, Hikmat Hajiyev spoke of a good opportunity for peace.

"We have achieved good results and defined the boundaries of the topics. Borders are not defined by occupation," the presidential aide noted.

He added that Azerbaijan insists on excluding the clauses concerning territorial claims from the Armenian Constitution.

"If there are provisions in the Armenian Constitution that pose a threat to Azerbaijan, they should be excluded," said Hajiyev, adding that "external forces are trying to impose their views."

"Baku and Yerevan must determine the path to stability themselves," the presidential aide added.