Official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to the Islamic Republic of Iran (May 18-20, 2002)


On May 18-20, 2002, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev paid his second visit to Iran. Before his visit in the meeting with the journalists he mentioned that it is necessary both for Iran and Azerbaijan to develop their relations in all the fields – economy, culture, science, education, sports and in the other fields, it is necessary to warm the relations between the two countries.

On May 18, there was a welcoming ceremony for the Azerbaijani President in the state residence of the Iranian President.

Before the meeting the presidents answered to the questions of journalists. They answered to the questions covering the topics like the aim of the visit of Heydar Aliyev to Iran, the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, and the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

Later a meeting was held between the Azerbaijani and Iranian Presidents. Seyid Mohammad Khatemi thanked the Azerbaijani President for accepting his invitation and for coming to Tehran. Mohammad Khatami stressed that each meeting with such a wise statesman like Heydar Aliyev, who possesses great political experience, is very beneficial and valuable.

Talking about the legal status of the Caspian Sea the presidents emphasized the importance of improving the relations of the littoral states in all the fields, and expressed the hopes that the Caspian will continue to be a sea of peace, security and cooperation. They mentioned the necessity of discussions on the determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea on the level of experts.

After a tete-a-tete meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, the meeting was continued with the participation of the delegations. The Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev said that this official visit to Iran will open a new stage in the development of the relations between the two countries and will benefit the people of the both countries.

On May 18, an official reception was hosted in honor of President Heydar Aliyev on behalf of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyid Mohammad Khatemi.

On May 19, the Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev met the Chief Religious Leader of Iran Seyyid Ali Khamneyi. He emphasized that the conflicts in the Caucasus hinders peace and security in the region, condemned the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, and stressed the necessity of the resolution of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over Nagorno Karabakh peacefully.

On the same day the Azerbaijani President met the chairman of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran Mehdi Karrubi. President Heydar Aliyev and Mehdi Karrubi appreciated the role of the parliamentary friendship groups of the countries in strengthening the sincere and kind relations. They especially mentioned the importance of expanding of the activities of the friendship groups.

President Heydar Aliyev met Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Kamal Kharrazi in the framework of his visit. They discussed the current situation in the region, determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea, peaceful resolution of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, and other issues which interested the countries.

On May 19th, he met Ali Sufi, minister of cooperation of Iran and chairman of common commission on the issues of cooperation between the two countries. They emphasized the importance of development of economic-trade relations.The Azerbaijani President also met Ali Abdulalizade, minister of construction and town-building.

On May 20th, the Azerbaijani and Iranian presidents met again. Signature of joint documents was held after the meeting. Agreement on the principles of relations of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Islamic Republic of Iran, agreement on the cooperation and mutual assistance on customs, agreement on the international motor transportation, agreement on the cooperation in the field of quarantine service of plants, an understanding memorandum on the cooperation in the field of veterinary, a memorandum on the cooperation in the field of education and research, a memorandum on the cultural cooperation, an agreement on the air transport, a memorandum on the cooperation in the field of standardization, certification, and metrology, and an agreement on the cooperation in the field of sport were signed.