Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 30
By Temkin Jafarov - Trend:
Iran's Gilan Province plays an important role in the relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, Azerbaijani Consul General in Tabriz Ali Alizadeh said.
He made the remarks at a meeting with the Gilan Province Governor Mohamed Ali Najafi, Azerbaijan's diplomatic mission told Trend Sept. 29.
Alizadeh said Gilan plays a significant role in the relations of Azerbaijan and Iran due to the fact that the Astara border checkpoint, and the ports of Anzali and Astara are located exactly in this province, and the North-South international transport corridor will run through this region as well.
He said therefore, Gilan has the advantage in Azerbaijani-Iranian relations.
The diplomat added that several articles in the memorandum, signed after an interstate commission meeting, are related to the Gilan province, and in the future this will positively affect the region's development.
He said the procedure for entry and exit of citizens has been recently simplified, and the intensity of economic and trade relations has increased. The consul general highlighted a great potential for developing Azerbaijan's cultural, scientific, sports and tourism ties with the province.
The province governor, Mohamed Ali Najafi, said Gilan, unlike other provinces of Iran, has land and sea borders with Azerbaijan, which offers a great potential for development.
Najafi said the necessary conditions were created for the Azerbaijani citizens' visits to this region.
He added that there are also opportunities to open flights between Gilan's capital of Rasht, Azerbaijani capital of Baku and the Russian city of Astrakhan, as well as a sea route between Anzali and Baku.
At the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
Edited by CN
