Iranian envoy says Azerbaijan’s visa decision will affect cross-border trade

TEHRAN,Dec.15(MNA) - The Iranian ambassador to Baku said on Wednesday that Azerbaijan’s recent decision to not extend the memorandum of understanding between the two countries in regard to easing of visa restrictions will affect business between nationals living in border areas. According to Trend News Agency, the Azerbaijani parliament recently decided not to extend an MOU signed between Iran and Azerbaijan, according to which visa requirements were eased for nationals of both countries residing in an area of 45 kilometers from the border. Ambassador Mohsen Pak-Aeen said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the movement of nationals of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan” across the border and has taken the measures necessary to facilitate it. “For instance, in order to strengthen cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan and people-to-people contacts, the Islamic Republic of Iran unilaterally lifted visa requirements for nationals of the Republic of Azerbaijan as of February 2010, and the decision is still valid,” Pak-Aeen added, noting, “We believe that Iran is the second home of the respectable people of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” Pak-Aeen also stated that the recent decision will not affect the services that Iran provide for Azeri nationals, but the process of trade interaction, particularly between nationals living in border areas, will take longer as a result of the decision.