Tehran, Iran, Apr. 13
By Mehdi Sepahvand, Temkin Jafarov- Trend:
Iran and Azerbaijan have historic relations dating back centuries and have much in common in various spheres, social welfare included, Iranian Deputy Minister of Cooperative, Labor, and Social Welfare Mohammad Taghi Hosseini told Trend in a commentary on April 13.
After the Azerbaijani Deputy Vice President Ali Hassanov traveled to Iran, a new window was opened to mutual relations, he said.
Hosseini added that Iran and Azerbaijan boosted cooperation in technical, social, and educational spheres following that visit.
He went on to assert that Iran is ready to cooperate with the neighbor country in all spheres following Iranian Minister of Cooperative, Labor, and Social Welfare Ali Rabiei's visit to Baku this week.
He said that Rabiei's delegation to Baku covers welfare, cooperative, and job skill areas, strengthening the hope that cooperation will grow further.
Many companies are ready to start cooperation with Azerbaijan, especially in food industries, cement, and medicine. Hosseini further stated that Iran is willing to offer its experiences in oil, gas, and petrochemical industries as well.
Trade turnover between Iran and Azerbaijan reached $433.8 million during the first eleven months of the last Iranian fiscal year (March 21, 2014-Feb. 20), 7.42 percent less compared to the same months of the preceding year, according to the Iranian Customs Administration.
The Islamic Republic exported some 1.763 million metric tons of goods to Azerbaijan during that period which is 26.9 percent less compared to the 11-month period of last year.
Iran also imported some $19.304 million worth of goods from Azerbaijan during the period, 29.5 percent less than the last fiscal year's first eleven months (March 21, 2013 to Feb. 20, 2014).
Azerbaijan today is actively investing in almost all countries of the region. However, Iran has so far stayed aside. The current conditions open significant opportunities for Baku to invest in the Islamic Republic.
The resumption of cooperation of the West and Iran paves the way for Iranian gas to Europe.
Today, the most promising direction of export may become namely the Southern Gas Corridor, initiated by Azerbaijan and its partners on development of the Shah Deniz field.
Also, among the major transport projects, realized jointly by Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, there is the North-South railway corridor, which is being delayed due to lack of investments.
Edited by CN
