Tofig Zulfugarov: “Armenia’s attempt to mar Azerbaijani-Iranian relations fails”

“There are people in Iran who are friendly and unfriendly to us. This is the reality. That is why relations change from time to time,” Former Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Tofig Zulfugarov told Report.

He said Azerbaijan has always been keen on good neighborly relations: “This is in line with our strategic interests. Meetings and talks to this end are yielding results. However, a political decision is not enough to open the Zangazur corridor. There must be technical capabilities, too. In this sense, the opening of the Zangazur corridor will probably take at least another three or four months. But, as President Ilham Aliyev said, of course, it will happen. In my opinion, the process of regional neighborhood accelerate.”

Tofig Zulfugarov also spoke about Armenia’s influence on unfolding events: “When analyzing the situation, realities must be taken into account. The Armenian society and the statehood have shaped in the spirit of enmity against Azerbaijan. Armenia has already the second generation living in this climate there. It takes time for them to change their minds. We have won the war. However, it is not right to expect the Armenians to pursue a completely loyal policy after the defeat in the 44-day war. Hostile tendencies will manifest themselves regularly. So, various provocative attempts by Armenians, including attempts to damage the Azerbaijani-Iranian relations, are expected at any moment. On our part, we are able to repel such provocative attempts.”

Note that the meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi at the XV Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, was held in a cordial and pleasant atmosphere. This ensures that relations between the two Muslim countries to continue in accordance with the principles of neighborliness and cooperation. The deepening of bilateral relations between the leaders in all directions, the agreement on the joint use of the Zangazur corridor, and other issues also thwarted Armenia’s efforts to disrupt relations between Azerbaijan and Iran.