Ilham Aliyev receives delegation led by speaker of Iranian parliament - PHOTO
On June 24, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
President Ilham Aliyev noted that the brotherly people of Iran had recently endured severe trials and once again expressed condolences over the loss of life resulting from the war.
The head of state emphasized that during the conflict the Azerbaijani people and state stood by Iran. He recalled his telephone conversation with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as contacts at various levels and expressions of solidarity, describing them as clear evidence of Azerbaijan’s support.
Ilham Aliyev noted that the cessation of the war had been met in Azerbaijan with a sense of satisfaction, recalling that our country had promptly issued an official statement on the matter.
“I wish there would be no more wars in the region,” said the President of Azerbaijan, adding that both Azerbaijan and Iran had at one time suffered seriously from armed conflicts.
Recalling with satisfaction Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s previous visit to Azerbaijan, the head of state stressed the importance of his participation in the 20th session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The President expressed confidence that the event would contribute to strengthening Islamic solidarity and noted that Azerbaijan would host the OIC Summit next year, with preparations already under way.
Ilham Aliyev also emphasized that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s current visit created a good opportunity to discuss issues on the bilateral agenda, noting the successful development of Azerbaijan-Iran relations.
In turn, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expressed satisfaction with the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan and conveyed greetings from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Ilham Aliyev thanked him for the greetings and asked that his best wishes be conveyed to the President of Iran.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani state and people for the support provided to Iran in difficult days.
He also thanked the head of state for visiting the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan to express condolences over the death of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and many civilians, as well as for the congratulatory letter sent to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei on his election as Supreme Leader of Iran.
Noting that war brings great suffering and tragedies, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stressed that during this period Azerbaijan had remained committed to the principles of good-neighborliness, provided humanitarian assistance and supported Iran. According to him, the Iranian people will never forget this.
He noted that Azerbaijan and Iran have always supported each other in difficult times, describing this as another manifestation of the unity and solidarity of the two countries. According to the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, the war also demonstrated the importance of Iran’s contacts with Muslim states. He stressed that during this period Iran was able to see who its friends and who its adversaries were, and noted that Azerbaijan had stood by Iran as a friendly country.
During the conversation, confidence was expressed in the further dynamic development of Azerbaijan-Iran relations. Satisfaction was expressed over the completion of construction of the Aghband-Kalaleh bridge, and it was emphasized that the Araz corridor passing through Iran would contribute to expanding the region’s transport capabilities.
The sides also exchanged views on prospects for bilateral cooperation, including inter-parliamentary ties, and discussed the activities of the intergovernmental commission.
