Top official: Azerbaijan and Iran would ultimately work things out

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 6 / Trend E. Mehdiyev /

Azerbaijan and Iran would ultimately work things out, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department Chief Ali Hasanov believes.

"We will find a formula by which the secular state will live in peace with the religious state. We are proud of the fact that we are Muslims, and we are proud that we are a secular country," Hasanov said in an interview with The New York Times, commenting on the Iranian-Azerbaijani relations, David M. Herszenhorn writes in his article.

Recently, the Azerbaijani-Iranian relations have deteriorated.

It all started with rumors that a group of foreigners was going to organize a gay parade in Baku during Eurovision. This was followed by a wave of anti-Azerbaijani statements in neighboring Iran, with calls to ban the parade and not to hold the contest, which allegedly contradicts Islamic values.

Despite the fact that Baku has repeatedly stated that it will not allow the holding of such event in Baku, the anti-Azerbaijani campaign in Iran has not stopped, protest rallies were held in front of the consulate of Azerbaijan in Tabriz.

In response similar actions to stop anti-Azerbaijani campaign were held in Baku in front of the Iranian diplomatic mission.

Expressing his attitude to the question of non-appointment of U.S. ambassador to Baku, Hasanov said that the lack of an ambassador was problematic.

"We are missing the consultations with the American ambassador," he said. "Americans cannot write off a country like Azerbaijan. They cannot leave Azerbaijan on its own."

The United States has not had an ambassador in Baku since the departure of Matthew J. Bryza in December.

Late last month, Obama nominated Richard L. Morningstar, a former ambassador to the European Union and currently the special envoy for Eurasian energy issues, to be the next ambassador in Baku. He is awaiting confirmation by the Senate.

Expressing his attitude to the issue of raising rent for Gabala radar station to $300 million, Hasanov said the increase was justified because of a sharp rise in property values, the article's author notes.

Term of lease by Russia of the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan will expire in December 2012. At present, negotiations continue on a new lease agreement.