Aliyev and Rouhaniare satisfied with bilateral relations

In recent years, the development of the Iranian-Azerbaijani relations have a very great progress. Azerbaijan has always opposed sanctions against Iran, and after their withdrawal has created new opportunities for cooperation,  stated the head of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the joint press conference with the President of Iran on Sunday at the conclusion of bilateral agreements. Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with Iran's position on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Referring to economic relations, Aliyev said that the trade turnover between the two countries has increased this year by 66%. The day before in the city of Neftchala  was laid the foundation  of «Iran Khodro» automobile plant foe the production of 10,000 cars a year.  In the near future in Azerbaijan will be built the factory for the production of drugs on Iranian technology. The way "North-South" will play a very important role in the development of bilateral relations, and the end of this year Azerbaijan will stretch its railway to the Iranian border and will finance the project. All these questions will be discussed in the tripartite meeting of the presidents of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan. The transport corridor "North-South"  is a project of great importance for its implementation, said Aliyev. The president of Iran said that the intergovernmental joint commission  is working on the issue of reducing tariffs and the conclusion of an agreement with a view to establishing free trade between the two countries.  The issues of legal status of the Caspian have been discussed, and "we have come to the conclusion that the two countries should reach an agreement on this matter, and should seriously work with the development of cooperation in the oil and gas industry," Rouhani said. Concerning the sphere of tourism, Rouhani urged Baku to take measures to facilitate the issuance of visas. Speaking of the transit corridor "North-South", Rouhani  noted the coming connection of the railway Astara-Astara highway and construction of a terminal in Iran. The second issue is the connection of the railway Astara-Rasht, which will provide Azerbaijan's access to the Persian Gulf. Finally, this corridor, providing an output of the Caucasian countries, Russia, Northern and Eastern Europe to the Persian Gulf and India, said the Iranian president. Referring to the Karabakh conflict, Rouhani said: "We support Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and oppose the forcible change of borders. We hope that the pro9boems will be solved  through negotiations and the efforts of other countries ».- 02D-