AZERBAIJANI-IRANIAN JOINT STATEMENT

UNCLAS BAKU 001074

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR NEA/IR AND EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ETRN PBTS PGOV PREL IR AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJANI-IRANIAN JOINT STATEMENT

REF: BAKU 01072

Sensitive but unclassified; not for internet distribution.


1. (SBU) Per reftel, Azerbaijan and Iran signed four
memoranda and one joint statement during President
Ahmadinejad's August 21-22 visit to Baku. The Embassy's
informal translation of the key points from the August 22
joint follows:


2. (SBU) Begin translation of key points:

- Recognizing the need for the broad development of bilateral
relations;
- Recognizing the importance of the bilateral dialogue given
the current flow of international relations;
- Sharing the concern of the conflicts impeding the whole
development of the regional economic and other relations;
- Reiterating the need for further development of the
bilateral political, economic, cultural, and other relations
per the potential of two countries;
- Expecting the visits to contribute to the further
development of the bilateral relationship;
- Reiterating the need to use the UN Charter, international
legislation, namely territorial integrity, inviolability of
borders, non use of force, etc.; and
- Reiterating the important role of mutual agreements,

The statement noted:

- The need to further develop relations.
- The need for further development of political relations at
various levels, including parliaments.
- The importance of the bilateral commission on economic,
trade, and humanitarian issues.
- The need to pursue steps to develop economic, transport,
trade, communication, tourism, public health, culture, and
environment-related relations.
- To apply efforts on energy, trade, oil-chemistry,
machine-building, agriculture, transport, and communication
areas.
- Appreciate the need for infrastructure and transport
projects development. Thus, support the Ordubad and Marazad
water power station and Julfa-Julfa new bridge construction.
- Pursue actions for peaceful resolution of disputes with
respect to the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial
integrity of countries.
- Once again reiterate that the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno
Karabakh conflict should be resolved based on UN and OIC
resolutions and by recognizing Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity, sovereignty, and inviolability of borders.
- Noted the need for the OSCE Minsk Group to take more firm
steps toward the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
- The need to increase efforts to fight international
terrorism, extremism, aggressive separatism, drug smuggling
in the "uncontrolled zones," drugs causing mental disorders,
weapons and human trafficking, preventing dissemination of
WMD and condemning threats to international security and
stability.
- Supports the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to
develop peaceful nuclear capacity based on the
Non-Proliferation Treaty and cooperation with IAEA and the
rights of all counties, including Iran.
- Expressing satisfaction with the July 20, 2007 meeting of
Caspian states' Foreign Ministers and supported the idea of a
grand meeting of the presidents in Tehran.
- The need for constructive dialogue over Caspian
delimitation. Highly appreciated the Working Group on the
level of Deputy Foreign Ministers.
- Noted and appreciated the meetings between Nakhchivan and
the Islamic Republic of Iran and neighboring regions and
supported this cooperation.
- The need to intensify efforts to develop all range of
relations.
- The readiness to cooperate in the frame of international
organizations on the issues representing mutual interest.
- Expressed belief to have this statement as a milestone
document for development of the bilateral relations.

End translation of key points.
DERSE