Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Azerbaijani politicians and political analysts comment on tensions in relations with Iran - SURVEY

Azerbaijani politicians and political analysts comment on tensions in relations with Iran - <font color=red>SURVEY</font>

23 January 2012 13:40 (UTC +04:00)

MP, Chairman of Citizen Solidarity Party Sabir Rustamkhanli told APA that Iran is engaged in provocation in Azerbaijan: â€œOn one hand, Iran speaks about Shia-Muslim fraternity, but on the other hand, it cooperates with terrorist-Christian Armenia and supports it. Azerbaijani society is watchful and it is impossible to turn Azerbaijan into a country like Iranâ€. Rustamkhanli considers that Azerbaijan should establish its policy on Iran in accordance with the developments: â€œCertainly, we donâ€™t support the opening of front against Iran and treat it as an enemy. But every word has its answerâ€.

Deputy Executive Secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party Mubariz Gurbanli said that the attacks on Azerbaijanâ€™s internet area were made from Iran and the Ministry of National Security prevented the terrorist attempt in Baku: â€œOne end of this issue is related to Iran. Generally, some circles in Iran try to break the relations with Azerbaijan. They make tactless speeches which accuse Azerbaijan, try to make provocative actions. It shows that the development of independent Azerbaijan and strengthening of its positions disturb someoneâ€.

Gurbanli said Iranâ€™s regional policy was inadmissible. â€œIran is not prompt to change relations with Azerbaijan positively. It develops relations with aggressor Armenia and supports the Armeniansâ€™ economic development. Iran should re-consider relations with its neighbors and the Islamic world. It shouldnâ€™t allow such actions. We are always condemning such actions and condemn it todayâ€.

Chairman of Azerbaijan National Strategic Research Center Natig Miri assessed these developments as a blow against the mutual confidence. â€œThe information war between the countries has entered a new phase. The attempt to commit terrorist attack in the territory of Azerbaijan foreshows very serious processes. Iran threatens Azerbaijan that it keeps its territory closed to the actions against Iranâ€. The political scientist considers Iranâ€™s concern groundless.

Azerbaijan pursues compromise-based policy to maintain its close neighborhood relations with Iran, said the member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Chairman of All Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (BAXCP) Gudrat Hasanguliyev and added that Iran ignores all efforts by Azerbaijan to normalize relations. â€œIran forms domestic public opinion for military invasion in Azerbaijan. It politicizes the religious forces in Azerbaijan. Detention of terrorists shows that Iran tries to stir up religious and national hostility and to violate religious tolerance and to create tensions in Azerbaijanâ€.

Hasanguliyev said anti-Azerbaijan speeches are made in all mosques in Iran.
â€œThe case of Rafig Tagi, the recent operation of the National Security Ministry show that Iran pursues hostile policy with respect to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan should ask support of the international community, UN for the protection of the oil facilities, purchase missile defense systems, strengthen military forces on the border,â€ he said.

Chairman of the Council of State Support for NGOs under President Azay Guliyev said Iranâ€™s steps against Azerbaijan have become open.
â€œExposal of the terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan by the forces having links with Iran shows that Iran is not sincere when it calls us a friend,â€ he said.

Deputy chairman of the Popular Azerbaijan Front Party Razi Nurullayev considers that Iran wants Azerbaijanâ€™s political system to be similar to its state structure.
â€œActually, there is information war between Iran and Azerbaijan. If Iran wants to be Azerbaijanâ€™s friend, it should discuss it around the table and unilaterally stop the cooperation with Armenia,â€ he said.