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376213
Tue, 08/04/2015 - 08:42
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Removing sanctions on Iran to help expand co-op with Azerbaijan in all areas

Tehran, Iran, Aug. 3 By Temkin Jafarov – Trend: Realization of deals between Iran and P5+1, and the subsequent lifting of sanctions won’t harm the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, Mehdi Mohtashami, the head of the secretariat of the Azerbaijan-Iran intergovernmental commission for cooperation in trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, told Trend in an exclusive interview Aug. 3. The deal on Iran’s nuclear program was concluded July 14 between Iran and the P5+1, which includes China, France, Russia, the US, the UK and Germany. Mohtashami said, perhaps, the lifting of sanctions will help remove the barriers to the development of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, and expand cooperation between the two countries in all areas. “Currently, the two countries have great cooperation potential in many areas, including in the energy sector, the development of railways and ports,” he said. “Joint programs both for the development of the two countries’ economies and for entering the markets of other countries, including that of Europe, can be implemented using the current potential between the two countries.” Mohtashami said Azerbaijan could reach the Persian Gulf and Central Asia via Iran. “I believe the transit of goods via the Qazvin-Rasht-Astara railway [after its reconstruction], the realization of joint projects in the energy sector, particularly in the gas export, and in other projects, might become a very good prospect for developing the bilateral ties after lifting the of sanctions,” said Mohtashami. He also said that during a visit of a delegation, led by the Azerbaijani Economy and Industry Minister Shahin Mustafayev, to Iran on August 3-4 it is planned to mull the works as part of the agreements between the two countries, as well as the acceleration of their realization. “Organization of such visits, holding meetings, and coordination between relevant structures are carried out to prevent delays in realization of various works,” he said. “Both parties discuss the elimination of obstacles in the development of relations and find ways out.” “The communications and information technology minister, [the intergovernmental commission’s co-chair from Iranian side] Mahmoud Vaezi invited Shahin Mustafayev [the co-chair from the Azerbaijani side] to Iran to discuss these issues,” said Mohtashami. Mustafayev, during the visit, is accompanied by the officials of various state agencies of Azerbaijan and 30 representatives of the private sector. “Iran and Azerbaijan have large cooperation potential, and the key projects, which the countries intend to realize, were indicated in the road map developed as part of the intergovernmental commission,” Mohtashami added. Throughout this year [the year in Iran ends March 21] Iran exported $435.34 million worth non-oil goods to Azerbaijan and imported $22.22 million worth non-oil sector goods from Azerbaijan, according to Iran’s Customs Administration. Edited by CN Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency

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