TEHRAN - Iran’s minister of roads and urban development Farzaneh Sadeq says no third country can dictate the nature of interactions between the Islamic Republic and Azerbaijan.
Speaking on Tuesday, Sadeq said no third party “can make decisions” concerning the bilateral relations, calling the “friendly and brotherly” countries the “main decision-makers” in the region.
The remarks echoed those of President Masoud Pezeshkian, who on Monday dismissed attempts aimed at sowing discord and disunity between Muslim nations, especially Iran and Azerbaijan.
She highlighted the positive results of ongoing talks and pointed to a bright outlook for bilateral cooperation, particularly in transport, transit, and infrastructure.
The official noted that since the resumption of the countries’ Joint Economic Commission last year after a three-year hiatus, six high-level meetings had taken place, demonstrating both sides’ strong will to enhance ties.
Sadeq noted that following President Pezeshkian’s visit to Baku, key obstacles lying in the way of the countries’ economic relations, such as long-standing banking issues, were quickly resolved.
Direct flights between Baku and Iranian cities, including Tehran and Tabriz, were also launched and expanded, the official noted.
Among joint projects, Sadeq underlined the construction of a new border bridge connecting Iran to Aghbend in Azerbaijan. She said the construction was already underway on the Azerbaijani side, and the bridge was expected to become operational by March 21.
The official also cited progress on a 107-kilometer “very strategic” highway joining the countries, calling it part of the East-West corridor, which will complement the North-South route and, therefore, enhance regional connectivity.
According to Sadeq, additional cooperation includes the Astara rail terminal, set to be fully operational within six months, as well as ongoing talks on electricity, energy swaps, and joint power plants.
She also reaffirmed shared cultural, religious, and historical bonds between the nations, and, overall, predicted a “promising horizon” for bilateral relations.