Iran, Azerbaijan ‘grow into strategic partners’

Tehran, November 26, AzerTAc Iranian Labor, Cooperative and Welfare Minister Ali Rabiei has praised his country’s relations with Azerbaijan. “The more our countries develop the more they are becoming strategic partners,” he told Azerbaijan`s Deputy Prime Minister, chairman of the State Committee for Refugee and IDP Affairs Ali Hasanov who is visiting Tehran. “Iran and Azerbaijan are situated in a volatile region so it is necessary that we expand our relations,” said the Iranian Minister. He emphasized the importance of broadening the bilateral cooperation in the fields of social insurance, trade, and fight against illegal narcotics trafficking. Mr. Hasanov said Iran was a “rich country”, which has ancient statehood history. “Iran`s being powerful is to Azerbaijan`s benefit. And official Baku considers that Azerbaijan`s becoming a powerful state is in the best interests of Iran.” The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted Azerbaijan’s economic achievements. “Azerbaijan has been among the world leaders in terms of industrial and production potential in the past five years.” “As a result of the policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev inflation fell just to two percent. A total of 1.2 million jobs have been created in the last decade. The gross domestic product in the country was 76 billion this year, while per capita GDP made 8,000 dollars. Average monthly wage made 580 dollars, while average monthly pension 224 dollars. Next year will see Azerbaijan`s budget revenues make 28 billion dollars, while budget spending will make 33 billion dollars.” Mr. Hasanov also touched upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He said that supported from outside Armenia occupied Azerbaijan`s Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. “As a result of this occupation over million Azerbaijanis now live as refugees and internally displaced persons.” He said: “The UN security Council adopted four resolutions demanding unconditional and immediate withdrawal of the Armenian military from Azerbaijan`s occupied lands.” “However these resolutions have not yet been resolved. It is injustice. The UN`s resolution on Libya was fulfilled in just two hours, but in our case they remain on paper over 20 years,” said the Azerbaijani Deputy Premier. “Iran`s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has always been objective. It recognized our territorial integrity and has always supported our stance in international organizations.” Mr. Hasanov also hailed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani`s recent visit to Azerbaijan, saying it “will play a key role in the development of our relations”.