ISRAEL TRYING TO DAMAGE TEHRAN-BAKU FRIENDLY TIES OFFICIAL
Islamic Republic News Agency website
Aug 7 2012
Iran
Tehran, 7 August: The deputy foreign minister for Asia-Pacific
affairs said here on Tuesday [7 August] that despite ups and downs
in Iran-Azerbaijan ties over the past 20 year, their relations were
excellent and friendly.
In an exclusive interview with IRNA, Seyyed Abbas Araqchi added that
some, especially the Zionists, are trying to damage the ties between
the neighbouring states. They are neither interested in Iran nor in
Azerbaijan Republic.
As to Baku-Tel Aviv military deals, he said that Iran has conveyed
its concern regarding the deals to the Azeri officials but they have
ensured that their relations will never harm Iran. Of course, their
agreements have in some ways been exaggerated.
Iran’s main policy is to forge good interactions in all fields with
the Azeri nation, he said.
Commenting on the arrest of the Azeri nationals by Iran, Araqchi also
said that they have been arrested on security-related charges but
Azerbaijan’s Embassy was provided access to the detainees. Finally,
their families also managed to meet them.
As to the apprehension of Iranian nationals by the Azerbaijan Republic,
he said that unfortunately, they were arrested on charges of smuggling
drugs. They had been detained before Iran arrested the Azeri nationals
and their detention had nothing to do with the issue.
He also pointed out that an agreement was signed by the two states
to exchange prisoners and convicts.
In response to a question why the Azeris raise the issue of
‘Big Azerbaijan’ ad harm the Iranians’ sentiments, he recommended
all Iranian and Azeri officials and media to adopt wise attitudes
regarding the issues. Both countries have historical commonalities
which should not harm the two countries’ independence. Furthermore,
they should bring the two countries closer to each other.
Iran has recognized Azerbaijan’s independence and sovereignty,
Araqchi further noted.
Asked whether President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad will attend ECO Summit
in Baku, he said there is no reason for him not to attend the event.
In response to another question that the terrorists assassinating
Iran’s nuclear scientists have used Azerbaijan Republic’s territory
for the purpose, he said that the two countries’ intelligence services
have regular meetings to discuss the issues including the subject.
Azeri officials have already ensured Tehran that they have no
information about the issue, he said.
He also said that Iran is ready to mediate in Karabakh dispute in a
bid to normalize ties between Azerbaijan Republic and Armenia.
Araqchi further stated that Israel is seeking to gain a foothold in
Azerbaijan in a bid to launch anti-Iran activities but neither the
Azeri nation nor the government will allow it to do so.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
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