Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that trade and investment among neighboring countries can help foster regional security and stability, as he addressed a joint business forum in Baku alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
“If trade and investment take root among neighbors and deep, friendly ties are established in academic, industrial, scientific, and cultural spheres, we can build a region filled with trust and security,” Pezeshkian said during the Iran-Azerbaijan Business Forum, held as part of his one-day visit to Azerbaijan.
Pezeshkian emphasized the wide-ranging potential for economic and commercial cooperation between Tehran and Baku, stating that such collaboration could contribute to the prosperity of both nations and reinforce peace in the region.
Highlighting the strategic geography of the two countries, Pezeshkian noted that Iran and Azerbaijan serve as vital transport corridors between North and South, and East and West. “Together, we can enable logical pathways for trade, transport, knowledge transfer, and communication,” he said.
He also pointed to the region’s economic capacity, suggesting that the collective market among neighboring nations could effectively meet the needs of Muslim populations and create significant opportunities for countries such as Iran, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev echoed the call for enhanced cooperation, noting that the necessary infrastructure is in place in the Karabakh region to attract foreign investors. He urged business leaders to align with the political will of both governments in expanding trade and investment ties.
Aliyev welcomed Pezeshkian’s visit and the accompanying delegation of 120 Iranian economic and business representatives, expressing optimism for the future of bilateral commerce and joint ventures.
Referring to joint infrastructure projects, Aliyev stressed the importance of the North-South Corridor, a multinational initiative in which both Iran and Azerbaijan are involved. “This project must be prioritized and managed effectively,” he said.
Aliyev invited foreign investors to participate in development projects in Karabakh, an area reclaimed by Azerbaijan in recent years, emphasizing favorable investment conditions in place. He also pointed to prospects for cooperation in electricity and renewable energy, noting Azerbaijan’s progress in green energy development.
“There is political will and a close relationship between our countries,” Aliyev said. “This message from our leaders should be taken seriously by the business communities in both nations.”