Last Friday (28 January), the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and Iran, Hossein Amirabdollahian, held a phone call to discuss Azerbaijani-Iranian relations.
According to the Azerbaijani readout, the ministers expressed their satisfaction at the development of various aspects of the relations between both countries, noting that the implementation of joint projects, such as the potential construction of a new bridge over the Astarachay, or a railway freight terminal in Astara would have positive impacts for both countries. Amirabdollahian reportedly stressed the need to follow up on the implementation of these projects as soon as possible. Tensions between the neighbours escalated towards the end of last year, culminating with both sides holding war games on their borders, but relations have since improved significantly.
The Iranian FM also highlighted the recent meeting between the presidents of the two countries and the visit of Iran’s minister of roads to Baku as signs of good relations between the two neighbours. Bayramov emphasized the need to implement and operationalize the agreements reached between the presidents of the two countries and the implementation of the joint projects between the two states.
As a sign of the improving relations, Amirabdollahian also pointed to the transfer of a group of Iranian prisoners in Azerbaijan back to Iran. The top Iranian diplomat also called for the facilitation of visa issuances, especially for Iranian students and businessmen, and expressed hope that an upcoming visit by Iranian parliamentarians would further cooperation between the parliaments of both nations.
The sides also discussed other regional issues of mutual interest.