Azerbaijan, Baku, May 13 / Trend , T. Jafarov/
Iran's newly-appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan Muhammad Bagir Bahrami spoke in an exclusive interview with Trend Persian Desk.
Trend : Mr. Ambassador, what positions did you hold before you were appointed Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan?
Muhammad Bagir Bahrami: I came to Azerbaijan as ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday. As to my work experience, I want to say that I was elected member of the parliament in three calls (second, fourth and seventh). I chaired three commissions during my office as member of parliament. I have chaired Public Commission, Internal Regulations Commission and Joint Management Commission. I also was chairman of the Iran-Australia inter-parliamentary friendship commission. I was representative to the parliament's administrative and working councils. I am a fellow at the Political Sciences University scientific staff. I decided to work as ambassador upon the invitation of Iranian foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and president's decree in an effort to develop ties between the two countries which occupy significant place in geopolitical, economic and strategic fields in international arena.
Iranian and Azerbaijani presidents are interested in developing ties between the two countries. This issue was emphasized during Mr. President Ilham Aliyev's last visit to Tehran.
There is a good potential to develop ties. Iranian and Azerbaijani people share much in common including faith and two states that are willing to further enhance strong ties.
Q: How do you assess Iran-Azerbaijan ties?
A: The ties between two countries are satisfactory at the moment. We are responsible for maintaining and diversifying these ties. There is a good potential to enhance ties. I hope the programs I have designed will contribute to improvement envisaged by the presidents of the two countries. I am not satisfied that much with the current situation. The fact that Iranian and Azerbaijani people share much in common and countries' strong will to cooperate can determine the two countries' power to impact international's community's current and future plight. I will do utmost to establish closer ties.
Q: What programs are you going to implement to enhance ties between the two countries?
A: I worked out my own strategy and program three months before I came to Azerbaijan. I will begin to realize them after certain period of time. We do not want to make false promises but to fulfill our words in practice. I will make public the programs gradually and will keep close contact with media.
Q: Have you ever been to Azerbaijan before? What are your first impressions about Azerbaijan?
A: I have not been to your country before. I am happy to be in Azerbaijan at the moment. Azerbaijanis are very good and religious Shiites people. Azerbaijan is a state with a good capability to rule. Our states and peoples have good relations. I hope our relation will develop in future as well.
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