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Azerbaijan Calls on Iran to Abstain from Harsh Statements Contradicting Diplomatic Norms

Politics Materials 28 April 2008 12:39 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, 28 April / Trend corr K. Ramazanova/ Azerbaijan calls on Iran to abstain from harsh statements contradicting the diplomatic norms.

Teheran has urged Baku to allow the cargo, going from Russia to Bushehr nuclear power station, pass through Azerbaijani-Iranian border. "The cargo is being transported to Iran within the framework of international norms and must not face any obstacles on its way," Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Iranian Foreign Ministry's official, said on 27 April.

"This contradicts with the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, as well as diplomatic and ethic norms. Azerbaijan acts only within the framework of its own legislation and the set international regulations," Khazar Ibrahim, Spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, said.

Ibrahim said that Azerbaijan will make its decision in this connection only after Russia responds to the inquiry about the nature of the cargo.

On 29 March, the cargo going from Russia to Iran's Bushehr nuclear power station was detained at customs point in Astara, Azerbaijani-Iranian border. The road-train was detained because it did not possess the special preliminary documents required from the Azerbaijani Government to transport the cargo through its country.

Official Moscow is not hurrying up to respond the Azerbaijan's inquiry about the content of the cargo owned by Atomstroyeksport, the contractor for construction of the Bushehr nuclear power station.

"The cargo intended for Bushehr is not a double-purpose cargo, let alone nuclear materials," Irina Esipova, Spokesperson for Atomstroyeksport, said to Trend .

"Atomstroyeksport jointly with Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan is currently trying to settle the issue," she said.

" Iran believes that the problem at the Azerbaijani-Iranian border is only because of customs issues and hopes for rapid settlement," Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Naser Hamidi Zare said to Trend .

The correspondent can be contacted at: [email protected]

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