Discussions on the topic “Azerbaijan–Iran Relations in the Context of Regional Processes” were held at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), APA reports.
The main purpose of the event was to evaluate the current state and future development directions of Azerbaijan–Iran relations against the backdrop of changing geopolitical configurations in the South Caucasus region.
Official opening speeches
The discussions were opened with speeches by the Ambassador, Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations Farid Shafiyev, and Saeed Khatibzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran and head of the Center for Political and International Studies (IPIS) under Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Iranian President’s visit – restoration of strategic dialogue
In his speech, Farid Shafiyev highlighted the official visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, to Azerbaijan as a sign of the positive momentum in bilateral relations. He stated that the visit represented an important turning point in restoring strategic dialogue, strengthening mutual trust, and expanding formats of practical cooperation.
Azerbaijan’s role in Iran’s neighborhood policy
In his speech, Saeed Khatibzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran and head of the Center for Political and International Studies (IPIS), emphasized that Azerbaijan holds an important place in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s neighborhood policy. He stated that President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Azerbaijan is a practical reflection of this policy. Khatibzadeh also drew attention to the close ties between the two nations: “Artificial barriers must be eliminated, and natural ties should be strengthened to the maximum level. The geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts in the region require that approaches be aligned with these emerging trends.”
MoU signed between AIR Center and IPIS
As part of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) and the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The MoU envisions academic exchanges and the implementation of joint projects based on mutually beneficial cooperation.
The document was signed by Ambassador Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Board of the AIR Center, and Saeed Khatibzadeh, Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of IPIS.
Expert discussions and emerging regional realities
The expert discussions that followed addressed bilateral relations in the context of the new regional realities, the outcomes of the Iranian President’s visit to Azerbaijan, regional energy and transportation projects, security and border management, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation, with speeches delivered by Javid Valiyev, member of the AIR Center’s Board; Alibeman Eghbali Zarch, Head of the Eurasian Studies Department at Iran’s IPIS; Masiagha Mahammadi, Senior Advisor at the AIR Center; and Manouchehr Moradi, Senior Research Fellow at IPIS.
The President’s visit – a new chapter begins
Speakers emphasized that President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit marked the opening of a new chapter in bilateral relations and laid the foundation for sustained dialogue in the next phase.
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