On July 1st Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament, Milli Majlis, Ogtay Asadov met Speaker of Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran Ali Larijani and his accompanying delegation.
Asadov underlined the importance of such visits in terms of boosting and strengthening relations between the two countries. He praised the meetings he held during his visit to Iran last year.
Asadov expressed confidence that Larijani`s visit to Azerbaijan would contribute to deepening cooperation between the legislative bodies of Azerbaijan and Iran.
The Milli Majlis Speaker also noted development of cooperation with Iran was one of priorities of his country`s foreign policy. According to him, more than 90 documents were signed between the two countries which constitute the legal basis of bilateral ties. Asadov also underlined the role of Azerbaijan-Iran Interstate Joint Commission in development of economic, trade and humanitarian cooperation. He added the volume of trade turnover between the two countries made up $110 million in January-April 2011, while this figure was $167 million last year.
The Milli Majlis Speaker also stressed the role of interparliamentary ties in expansion of bilateral relationship. He praised the fact that friendship groups were operating in the two countries` parliaments. "Our parliamentarians are working effectively in leading organizations such as OIC and UN." He also underscored the importance of high-level reciprocal visits.
Asadov also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, describing it as an obstacle to development process in the South Caucasus and threat to the region. He added the OSCE Minsk Group`s mediation efforts to settle the conflict yield no results. "Armenia is continuing the occupation policy."
The Speaker highly appreciated Iran`s supporting Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity. "We believe that Iran will spare no efforts to contribute to just resolution of the conflict."
Larijani, in turn, expressed satisfaction with his visit to Azerbaijan. He underscored the role of parliaments in development of interstate relations. Larijani said "there is no problem for development of our political, economic and cultural cooperation."
On the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Iranian Speaker said his country backs Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity. He stressed the necessity of conducting consultations among Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan on solution of problems.
Present in the meeting were First Vice-Speaker of Milli Majlis Ziyafat Asgarov, vice-speaker Valeh Alasgarov, and head of Milli Majlis Administration Safa Mirzayev.

AzerTAc