“ZANGEZUR CORRIDOR DOES NOT LEAD TO CUT OFF IRAN’S BORDER ACCESS WITH ARMENIA.” UNDERLINES AZERBAIJAN’S AMBASSADOR TO IRAN

Following the meeting of the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan in the capital of Turkmenistan in November 2021, we are witnessing practical steps in the development of Tehran-Baku relations.  In line with this approach, President Raisi’s government has signed a gas swap agreement with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. As a matter fact, Iran’s government is trying to control the maximum pressure campaign of the U.S. administration against Iran through the expansion of economic ties with its neighbors, including Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, the issue of the opening of Zangezur Corridor which connects Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan has brought many speculations in Persian-language media that whether the opening of this corridor could lead to the disconnection of Iran’s border access with Armenia. In order to review the aspects of this issue as well as the trend of the development of the bilateral relations, AVA Diplomatic has conducted an interview with H.E. Ali Alizadeh, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Iran, which you will read below.

 Exclusive interview of AVA Diplomatic with His Excellency Mr. Ali Alizadeh,

Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Iran

Does the construction of the Zangezur corridor of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan lead to the disconnection of the Islamic Republic of Iran with Armenia?

The Zangarzur Corridor is a corridor to establish a connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan; it Are not aimed at disconnection or against any third country. On the contrary, the Zangezur Corridor is a project that at the same time will expand the connection and cooperation between all the countries of the region. The creation of this corridor was clearly mentioned in the November 10 Statement of the leaders of three countries (Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia) to end 2nd Karabakh War and on other related documents, and it was stated that there should be a connection between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, and Armenia took the obligations to create this corridor. However, as always, under various pretexts, Armenia is trying to create obstacles to the opening of this corridor.

There are widespread concerns inside Iran about Azerbaijan’s attempt to cut off Iran’s border access with Armenia. Has the government of Azerbaijan given guarantees to its Iranian side in this regard?

These are baseless rumors spread by some circles that do not want the development and strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. Azerbaijan is also connected to Nakhchivan from the territory of Iran, and that connection is made through the border regions of Iran opposite Armenia, and it turns out that they can say Armenia’s relations with Iran have been cut off. Azerbaijan always supports the territorial integrity of every state, which is recognized by international law, and this is position of Azerbaijan. This position has been expressed several times by the President of our country. During 30 years, when the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was violated and now after restoring our territorial integrity, Azerbaijan did not change its position and respected international law and the principle of inviolability of borders. But unfortunately, we see the opposite approach from Armenia and we are constantly faced with provocations by Armenia.

Completion of the railway from Rasht to Astara and then its connection to the railway of the Republic of Azerbaijan has become a tedious project. Is there a deadline for the completion of this railway route?

Recently, on September 9, by the initiative of Azerbaijan, the 1st tripartite meeting on the Development of the International North-South Transport Corridor was held in Baku with the participation of the Deputy Prime Ministers of Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as the Minister of Road and Urban Development of Iran, and at that meeting, it was decided to complete the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line soon, and to prepare and sign the draft agreement on it by the end of this year. On the Azerbaijani side, all the infrastructure is ready to connect the railway to the Iranian railway, and with the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, a wide railway connection will be created. Taking into account the current geopolitical processes, the importance of the International North-South Transport Corridor has increased, and I believe that the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line will be implemented soon.

Recently an MOU was signed between Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia custom services in order to facilitate trilateral transit. What is the significance of this MOU and how will it affect the volume of economic exchanges between the two countries?

The tripartite memorandum of understanding signed on transit facilitation between the heads of custom services of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia is a document signed to increase trade and speed up the transit of goods. The significance is that thanks to mutual and continuous cooperation, the sustainability of the international trade and supply chain will be ensured, it will help to expand the possibilities of the North-South Transport Corridor, the customs transit operations will be facilitated at the border crossing points on the Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia route, the customs control will be implemented based on new circumstances, and it will create additional opportunities for holding and increasing economic and commercial cooperation. It was also decided to create a committee, which will include high-level representatives of the customs authorities of the three countries, who will coordinate these works.

How has the volume of the trade between the two countries been estimated for the running year? And what was the volume of trade between the two countries last year?

Last year, our trade turnover was 440.8 million USD and increased by 30% compared to the previous year. In 8 months of this year, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Iran increased by 26% compared to the same period last year and reached USD 322 million in 8 months. It is gratifying that in the last two years, our trade turnover between the two countries has been growing at an upward trajectory, and I believe that this year we will reach half a billion.

In the last eight months, on a monthly average, how many Iranian tourists have applied for visas to travel to the Republic of Azerbaijan via ASAN Visa (e-Visa) portal?

Despite the land borders being closed due to the pandemic, Iranian citizens were one of the 3 most visited citizens among the foreigners who travelled to the Republic of Azerbaijan in January-July 2022, and approximately more than 95 thousand Iranian citizens visited Azerbaijan in 7 months of this year. With the opening of land borders, this number will be increased several times.

Is visa cancellation between the two countries possible?

There is a very simplified visa system for Iranian citizens, and for this reason, as well as because of the pandemic situation; visa cancellation is not currently being discussed. Iranian citizens can obtain visas online, also at the airports of Azerbaijan on their arrival and directly at the land border crossing points of Azerbaijan when the land borders are open for tourism.

How do you evaluate the presence of the Iranian companies in the reconstruction of Karabakh?

We have also invited Iranian companies to participate in the reconstruction of Karabakh, and we have informed them about the preferential opportunities created there for the investment. It is known that 132 km of Azerbaijan’s territory along our border with Iran has been liberated from Armenian occupation, and large projects such as the construction of the Khudafarin-Giz Galasi hydrojunctions and the Aghband Bridge are being implemented on the borders with Iran, and many new opportunities have created there. Currently, there are Iranian companies interested in investing in our liberated areas, but there are more companies that want to participate as contractors. For contractors we recommend to take part in the tenders held in Azerbaijan. Currently, 1 school and 1 hospital are being built with the participation of Iranian companies, and we call on more companies from Iran to participate and invest in the restoration and construction works.

What works are carried out in restoration of cultural-historical and religious monuments in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan?

In addition to the infrastructure building, the restoration works include also the restoration of cultural-historical and religious monuments and the construction of new ones. During the 30 years of occupation, the 65 out of 67 mosques that existed in Karabagh were completely destroyed by the Armenian invaders, and animals, pigs, and cows were kept in our remaining semi-destroyed mosques in those territories. Currently, our cultural and religious monuments and mosques are being restored and new ones are being built in those areas. This year, the 270th anniversary of the city of Shusha of Azerbaijan is celebrated. The tradition of holding cultural events in Shusha, which is known as the cultural capital of Azerbaijan and the crown of Karabakh, has also been restored, and it is gratifying that Iranian representatives participate also in those international events.

What plans do the two countries have to further strengthen the scientific and academic cooperation?

There are scientific and academic relations between our two countries, but they are not enough. Iranian dissertation students carry out research work at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, hundreds of Iranian citizens study in Azerbaijan’s higher education institutions, and Azerbaijani students study in Iran. Azerbaijani and Iranian scientists mutually participate in scientific conferences held in both countries and make scientific reports. There are many potentials in the direction of increasing these relations, and with the elimination of the consequences of the pandemic, we plan to continue holding conferences, seminars, exhibitions, to increase mutual scientific research works, and to organize scientific events about our well-known personalities.

Do you consider the barter of commodities as a suitable solution to expand trade relations between Iran and Azerbaijan?

Our trade and transit cargo transportation with Iran continued even during the pandemic, and our borders didn’t stop for cargo even for a single day. My point in saying this is that our trade is multifaceted and is also conducted on the basis of exchange. Last year, we signed the project to exchange/swap Turkmenistan’s gas through Iran to Azerbaijan and the implementation of the project is progressing successfully. The works are also underway on projects such as the synchronization of Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia electricity lines. The possibility of using all means for the development of economic and commercial projects that will serve the interests of our countries can be considered.

At what level do Iran and Azerbaijan have military cooperation?

Cooperation on the military and military-technical fields between the military authorities of the two countries is developing. We have a joint working group on defense and military cooperation between the two countries and the cooperation issues are continuously discussed in this working group. Recent high-level visits – the official visit of the Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces to Azerbaijan and the official visit of the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan to Iran in the current year have given further impetus to cooperation. In addition to official visits, the participation of military personnel of the two countries in international military competitions, including competitions held in the Caspian Sea, mutually implemented business trips, etc. actions contribute to the development of cooperation. A few weeks ago, the participation of the Deputy Minister of Defense of Iran in the ADEX-2022 international defense exhibition held in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the visit of a delegation of experts of the Iranian Armed Forces to the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan were also noteworthy.

Given the growing tension between Iran and Israel, the expansion of military cooperation between Baku and Tel Aviv has caused concerns for some political experts in Iran. What measures has the Republic of Azerbaijan taken to resolve Iran’s concerns?

Azerbaijan’s relations with Israel Are not directed against any third country, and such concerns are baseless. Azerbaijan continues its independent policy that serves its national interests in the region, and this policy is to strengthen relations with all countries of the world, especially with neighbors, on the basis of cooperation, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual respect. Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that will not allow its territory to be used against its close neighbor Iran or any other country.

After 28 years, once again Azerbaijani forces took control of the city of Lachin of Azerbaijan near the border with the Republic of Armenia. Is Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan intention, to solve the disputed issues with Armenia as soon as possible?

Yes, recently the Azerbaijani city of Lachin, as well as the villages of Zabukh and Sus came under the control of the Azerbaijani Army, and the illegally settled Armenians left those areas. However, the initiative to resolve the disputed issues with Armenia and start the delimitation and demarcation works was put forward by Azerbaijan not now, but 2 years ago. The President of Azerbaijan proposed to start practical negotiations on the peace agreement immediately after the end of the Second Karabakh War. Seeing the non-constructive approach of Armenia in this direction, Azerbaijan even presented five basic principles in order to facilitate the negotiations on the peace agreement, and several tripartite meetings with the leadership of Armenia were held in this direction with the mediation of Brussels and Moscow. Azerbaijan has always been interested in the establishment of sustainable peace and stability in the region, and the President of Azerbaijan has always taken new initiatives in this regard. One of them is the 3+3 format with the participation of Iran, Turkey, Russia and the countries of the South Caucasus, the goal of which is to achieve peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus and the region. However, despite 2 years have passed after the war, Armenia is still avoiding the signing of the peace agreement and the opening of communications in the region. Armenia continues to station illegal army units and plant landmines in the territories of Azerbaijan with the intention of taking revenge and delaying the peace process. Armenia’s provocations and attacks against Azerbaijan after the 2020 war on September 12-13, 2022, as well as on previous dates are proof of this. As a result of Armenia’s provocations, Azerbaijan still continues to give civilian and military martyrs. Azerbaijan is committed to its obligations under the November 10 Statement and other documents signed with the end of the war, and is still waiting for Armenia to show the same attitude.

With the reduction of Russian gas supply and the decision to move away from imports from this country as soon as possible, the European Union is now closer to Baku to compensate part of this shortage with the gas of the Republic of Azerbaijan. How many billion cubic meters of natural gas does the Republic of Azerbaijan export to Europe, and how much will this amount increase in the coming years?

Azerbaijan has never had the goal of competing with Russian gas in the European market. According to my information, Russia has transported 155 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, while the Azerbaijan’s export to Europe are only around 11 billion cubic meters. Since increasing the export requires a lot of work and investment, this number can be increased to 20-22 billion cubic meters in the near future.

With regard to the extensive ties between Azerbaijan and Russia, how has the Russia-Ukraine war affected the relations between Moscow and Baku? What position has the Azerbaijani government taken on this war?

We have good relations with both countries and we are concerned about war. As a country that has suffered from conflict and war for 30 years, Azerbaijan knows the consequences of war and we do not wish it to any country. Azerbaijan supports the solution of the conflict on the basis of mutual understanding and dialogue in accordance with the principles of international law.