Iran keen in free border crossing with Azerbaijan says state official

 Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Seyed Abbas Araqchi expressed hope that the minor problems that emerged on the Iranian-Azerbaijani border and formal procedures will not cause harm to ties and relations between the two fraternal countries.

Araqchi made the remarks on November 25 speaking to Trend.

Tehran interested in Iranian and Azerbaijani citizen's free border crossing, Araqchi said.

"We welcome the visit of our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters to Iran, as well as Iranian nationals' visit to Azerbaijan," the deputy minister said.

Iran's foreign policy priority is the establishment of fraternal and friendly relations with Azerbaijan, Araqchi said.

"We want to further develop ties. Minor problems at the border, are settled thanks to the good intentions and delicacy of the sides. We have always aspired to it," the deputy minister said.

Iran is extremely interested in holding a meeting of joint economic commission in Baku, Araqchi said.

"We hope that this commission will be held during the forthcoming visit of the Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif to Baku," the deputy minister added.

It should be noted that starting from November 7 Iran closed movement of cars and trucks through Julfa and Bilasuvar border checkpoints. The Iranian side has taken this step in response to the closing of the Shahtakhti-Poldesht border checkpoint by Azerbaijan.

Earlier on November 5, a tractor which was carrying out shore protection works at the Araz River in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan was fired at from Iran by two persons dressed in military uniforms. Border guards arrived at the scene after hearing the shots. During the preliminary investigation it was found that two bullets of the 7.62 mm calibre hit the radiator, and a bullet struck the side of the tractor's cab.

The tractor's location and direction of the shots prove that the fire was opened from Iran.

Iranian officials said that after the incident Azerbaijan closed Shahtakhti-Poldesht border checkpoint. In response to this on November 7 Iran closed border checkpoints in Julfa and Bilasuvar. Certain problems still remain despite the fact that the restrictions on the border have been removed.


/Trend/