Foreign Minister of Iran happy to see Azerbaijan regain territories

 

TEHRAN, JAN 25: Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif arrived in Azerbaijan on Sunday night on the first leg of his regional tour of the Caucasus, which is aimed at promoting regional cooperation.

Upon his arrival at the Baku airport, the top diplomat said he is happy to see Azerbaijan having regained control over occupied territories from Armenia.

Zarif further said that Iran is “ready to help” people in Azerbaijan return to their homes in the liberated territories “as soon as possible.”

He also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to reconstruction efforts in war-torn Karabakh, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but had been under the occupation of ethnic Armenian separatists.

The territories were freed from Armenian occupation after a months-long armed conflict between the two warring sides that ended with a Moscow-brokered truce in November last year.

Zarif, whose visit to Azerbaijan and other regional countries had been postponed earlier, is scheduled to hold talks with top Azerbaijani officials on Monday.

Among the issues to figure prominently in the discussions are reconstruction efforts in war-torn Karabakh and the implementation of joint economic projects.

The two sides reached an agreement last week to boost economic cooperation, with Baku welcoming Iran’s offer to contribute to the reconstruction work in Karabakh.

The regional tour will also take Zarif to Armenia, Russia and Turkey this week, which he said is aimed at the promotion of regional cooperation and expansion of bilateral relations.

Iran, which shares a 132-kilometer (82-mile) border with Azerbaijan, has traditionally maintained a neutral stance on Karabakh. However, following the latest flare-up, calls in the country have grown in favor of Baku.

Tehran recently announced its readiness to play a role in strengthening the cease-fire between Azerbaijan and Armenia, while emphasizing the need for a “permanent solution” to the crisis.

There have been reports of the Armenian side frequently violating the cease-fire deal reached between the two sides in November.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27, the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from Armenian occupation.

The two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement on Nov. 10 to end the fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

The truce is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces have been withdrawing in line with the agreement.

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COURTESY aa.com.tr

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Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan sign deal on Caspian hydrocarbon field

 

ANKARA – Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding Thursday on joint exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources of the Dostlug (Friendship) field in the Caspian Sea.

The agreement on the joint exploration of the once-disputed section of the undersea hydrocarbons field was signed in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov.

A meeting through video conferencing was held between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in connection with the signing of the agreement.

“This document, which is the result of many years of work between our countries, is aimed at strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding in the field of energy, unlocking the joint potential of the two largest energy states, creating the most favorable conditions for sustainable energy, and further reinforcing our mutually beneficial and international partnership,” Berdimuhamedov said.

The two leaders congratulated each other for reaching an agreement, calling it a “historic day” in the relations between the two countries.

“I would call today’s document historic because Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are starting joint work on the development of a field in the Caspian Sea for the first time, and this field and work on the field will bring our countries and peoples even closer together and benefit both the Turkmen and Azerbaijani peoples,” Aliyev said.

Bilateral ties

During the meeting, the diplomats emphasized the high level of bilateral ties in political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.

It was especially noted that the visit of Bayramov to Ashgabat complements the “start of a new stage of energy cooperation” between the two neighboring countries.

“In this regard, the significance of joint steps on resource use and collaboration on the Caspian Sea was highlighted,” the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The top diplomats also highlighted the efficiency of political and diplomatic dialogue between the two states and discussed bilateral issues and the aspects of regional and international agendas.

The ministers also underlined the importance of the collaboration of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in the framework of regional and international formats.

They also discussed the opportunities of holding joint events in 2021 and the issue of expanding cultural and humanitarian ties between the two states.

The possibilities of expanding economic and investment cooperation, including through the use of the transport-transit potential of the two countries, which possess modern automobile, railway and sea infrastructure, were also discussed in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Bayramov and Meredov emphasized the importance of the Transit and Transport Cooperation Agreement between Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Afghanistan (Lapis Lazuli Route Agreement).

The ministry also noted that the people of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are united by firm historic, cultural and spiritual values.

Earlier in the day, the Azerbaijani foreign minister was received by the Turkmen leader.

Bayramov started his two-day visit to Turkmenistan along with the Azerbaijani delegation on Jan. 20.

Turkey’s welcoming

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry in a written statement welcomed the energy agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

“We wish that this agreement will further strengthen the friendship between the two countries, will be auspicious for the friendly and brotherly peoples of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and contribute to the prosperity and stability of the region,” it said.

“We also wish that this agreement will pave the way for the projects to enhance the energy security of Turkey and the rest of Europe,” the statement added.

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COURTESY aa.com.tr

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Embassy of Azerbaijan, Sargodha University organize webinar for students

 

ISLAMABAD, JAN 19 /DN/ - The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan in cooperation with Sargodha University organized a webinar for students of a number of Pakistani universities on "From Martyrdom to Victory" dedicated to January 20 - Martyrs' Remembrance Day.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Ali Alizada explained students about events and the sacrifices of the Azerbaijani civilians during the webinar on Martyrs Remembrance Day.

Ambassador told that Martyrs' Day is a national holiday in Azerbaijan. It may also be known as 'the Day of the Nationwide Sorrow'. It is observed on 20 January every year.

Students of Sargodha University discussed various important matters of higher education with Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada during the online discussion.

Students also shared their experience of university life with Azerbaijan ambassador.

Later in the discussion the Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Ali Alizada advised Sargodha University students to focus on their studies to achieve bigger goals in life ahead.

Ali Alizada further said that it is utmost important for the students to complete their education because that is the only way you thru which you can play a positive role in development of the country.=DN

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Jeyhun Bayramov offers condolences to the families of plane accident

 

BAKU, JAN 10: Jeyhun Bayramov Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan deeply saddened by the news on tragic plane crash near Jakarta.

He expressed his most sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic plane accident .

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said, our support and solidarity is with brotherly People of Indonesia!”.

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COURTESY azerbaycan24.com

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No Azerbaijanis on Sriwijaya Air plane crash: Embassy confirmed

 

JAKARTA, JAN 10: As reported earlier, a Sriwijaya Air plane with 62 people on board lost contact after taking off from Indonesia’s capital Jakarta on a domestic flight on Saturday and rescuers said suspected debris had been found in the sea off the city.

The Azerbaijani Embassy in Indonesia tried to get information about the presence of Azerbaijani citizens on the plane by contacting the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

According to the Embassy, Indonesian Foreign Ministry said that there were no foreigners on the plane. The embassy will be informed in case of new information during the investigation. 

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COURTESY azerbaycan24.com

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