Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr A. Ismaylova / Abbasali Hasanov, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran, reported on 14 May from Teheran that the number of the Iranians passing to Azerbaijan via Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan (NAR) increased 25 times during the last two weeks.
The Ambassador noted that over 800 people a day come to Azerbaijan since the paid visa regime between Iran and NAR was abolished. Before putting into practice the new regulations some 30 people crossed the border a day. Hasanov noted that the number of the Iranian citizens wishing to visit Azerbaijan is increasing every day. They arrive in Azerbaijan for tourism, medical treatment or to visit relatives.
On 1 May, Azerbaijan and Iran abolished the charge for a visa (€35) for residents of NAR and the citizens of Iran. The new regulations were put into practice on the basis of a Memorandum signed between Azerbaijan's and Iran's Foreign Ministers in November, 2005.
A 20-day visa providing unlimited travel in Iran will allow foreigners to drop in any place of the country. In order to be issued with a visa one has to submit a photo and a medical certificate to the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan.