Baku, February 20, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, on Tuesday.
During the meeting, President Aliyev emphasized the deep historical, cultural, and religious ties between Azerbaijan and Iran, highlighting the strong bond shared by their peoples. He praised the recent high-level exchanges between the two countries as a reflection of the dynamic growth in bilateral relations. The Azerbaijani leader also commended the strengthening of interparliamentary ties and expressed confidence that the Speaker’s visit would further enhance cooperation.
Discussions covered key areas of economic, trade, transport, and energy collaboration. President Aliyev underscored the strategic importance of the North-South Transport Corridor, noting Azerbaijan’s commitment to expanding cargo transportation capacity along its section. He also highlighted ongoing work on the Aghband crossing, which he said would significantly enhance regional connectivity.
Addressing regional matters, President Aliyev reiterated that regional issues should be resolved by the countries directly involved, rejecting interference by external powers. He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to the 3+3 regional cooperation format.
Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf conveyed greetings from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, to which President Aliyev expressed gratitude and requested that his own greetings be relayed in return.
Ghalibaf praised the successful organization of the 15th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Baku and welcomed the increased frequency of high-level exchanges between the two nations. He emphasized the vast opportunities for strengthening cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, science, technology, and healthcare.
The Iranian Speaker also highlighted Iran and Azerbaijan’s shared interest in maintaining regional stability and security, reaffirming Iran’s stance that regional challenges should be addressed by local actors. He stressed the significance of the 3+3 format and underscored the importance of collaboration within international organizations.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Ghalibaf presented a commemorative keepsake to President Aliyev.
