Interview : Pervane Sultanova for 525.az
Mr. Mojtaba Demirchilou, Iran’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan has said that Iran-Azerbaijan relations are based on common and deep-rooted traditions. Our historical relations are special and that is why, I do not consider the present status of our cooperation as satisfactory,my expectations are higher than that.
You will not find two countries that are so close to each other in various aspects. We have so many common ties, deep roots, that is why our expectations are also much higher. But the fact is that our relations have not reached the level we would like.
There have been some difficulties in our relations, and I think some are still there.
That is why I say that our relations are not satisfactory. Or the level of our relations in the field of culture is very low. Previously, we held various events, cultural days, poetry evenings, festivals, and mutual visits of journalists were organized. We must try to improve our relations based on the common issues I mentioned. Therefore, I think that I have a great responsibility and I must work harder.
Fortunately, there are very sincere and close relations between the presidents of our countries. Special relations between heads of state create additional responsibility for ambassadors and officials.
The main task before us is to use all opportunities to work to further develop and deepen the relations of the two countries to the greatest extent possible.
In this regard, we can mention various areas: economic, scientific, cultural, even military, security. We have a lot of work to do in the field of transport, as well as in the field of trade and culture. We must pay attention to all this. I will try to use all opportunities for this purpose during my mission.
When Azerbaijan gained independence, we started cooperating in a number of areas, including defense. The reason was that Azerbaijan was subjected to aggression and it was a very difficult period for the country. We were cooperating, starting with exercises, including military and ammunition. Both sides have experience in this area and exchanges can be carried out.
Military exercises are also considered an example of this. The exercises are planned to continue in the future.
The goal is to increase the power of the two countries and combat common threats. This is considered a common interest for the two countries. We can also say that it is considered an important issue for the region.
There are some intergovernmental agreements between the two countries that are not fully implemented.
We need to look at those documents. At the same time, we need to pay more attention to the role of the private sector. The number of companies operating in the two countries is not that large.
Azerbaijan and Iran have large markets, and there is also the opportunity to access third markets, countries, and regions through the two countries. The second issue is special attention to the private sector. There are also wide opportunities for cooperation in the fields of transport and banking.
To a question that there are forces in Iran that do not want good relations with Azerbaijan. We see this in statements made by advisors, parliamentarians and at other levels. I wonder what their goal is?
Ambassador replied , I completely agree that we must also make efforts to prevent the forces that negatively affect our friendly relations. These forces exist both at home and abroad. But we should not take this as a basis. Because recently, Iran was subjected to military aggression by Israel. Many countries immediately expressed their positions on this matter, condemned it. Azerbaijan also criticized what happened, and we take this as a basis.
It was declared at the highest level that no force was allowed to use the territory of Azerbaijan against Iran, and this opportunity will not be given in the future. This position is very important and valuable for us.
In this sense, the statements you mentioned should not be considered an official position. I believe that the less such opinions are, the less their negative impact can be. This also needs to be managed. You also know that the media has its own opinion and say, and we should not consider those opinions to be the official position of the government and we should try to base our work on the official position.
About the human losses, among them were military commanders. But they were not on the battlefield, in military uniform, they were in their homes. It was not considered right to attack them under international law. At the same time, not only nuclear scientists, but also our scientists in other fields, including many women, were killed.
So, when talking about the damage, the emphasis should be on the human losses first. We had more than a thousand martyrs, most of them civilians. Civilian and military bases were attacked. Now restoration work is underway, but information about military facilities is not disclosed.
Explaining Iran’s view on the Zangezur corridor, the Ambassador said, A number of events have taken place in the region in recent years, including the liberation of territories by Azerbaijan.
Negotiations are underway between Azerbaijan and Armenia on a peace agreement, and even its framework has been agreed upon. You will not find a person in Iran who would not agree with the peace and stability processes in the region.
Secondly, the issue of opening transport corridors and developing communications in the region is also important for the economic development of countries and the region. From this point of view, we assess this very positively. The restoration of communications means that all countries, including Iran, will benefit from these opportunities and pursue their own interests.
But after the Karabakh conflict, this connection (Zangezur) was severed. There has been no such connection for 35 years. Now we are talking about new communications, with what connection and where to connect Iran to Azerbaijan. From this perspective, Iran is also interested in developing transport corridors in the region, so that both the region and Iran benefit.
At the same time, after the Karabakh war, an issue arose, which was related to international borders and the intervention of third forces in the region.
There were reactions from Iran to these two issues. In light of recent events, officials in Azerbaijan and Armenia voiced their positions. In this case, this is satisfactory for us and we believe in the official position.
Regarding the interventions of forces, from outside of the region, experience shows that more these interventions are prevented, more it will be better.
Officials in Azerbaijan openly declare that the fate of the region should be determined based on the will of the region. This shows that there is a common opinion that the countries of the region should use their capabilities and solve their problems based on their joint will.
We must correctly assess the issues related to peace, communications, borders, and the intervention of forces outside the region. I believe that when viewed from this perspective, there will be no problem.
About the status of the work on the “Araz” corridor? Ambassador shared , This project means the connection of Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan and has been in the past. For the past 35 years, Azerbaijan has used Iranian territory.
After the liberation of the occupied lands and the start of restoration work, a new proposal was put forward from Azerbaijan to shorten the distance traveled through Iranian territory, and to make a transition to Nakhchivan from a new point on the side of Agbend.
Based on this, the construction of a new bridge over the Araz River has begun. Currently, construction work is underway, I myself was there 10 days ago, the work is going very well, the construction of the bridge is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
It will allow hundreds of trucks to enter Azerbaijan from Iranian territory per day. There was a road at the entrance to Iran from this point, and we are now working on it to eliminate some of the difficulties that existed in the past.
There is the Araz River on one side and the mountains on the other. There was a road between the mountains and the river, which in some places went up the mountain and it was difficult for vehicles to get there. Now we are building new tunnels there, expanding the road.
Things are going well. After the restoration of this road, hundreds of trucks will use the new road per day. I am very optimistic that this will be completed soon and will create new opportunities for us in the field of transit and transportation.
