Iranian electricity transfer to Azerbaijan to hit 800mw

Iranian Ambassador to Baku Afshar Soleymani told IRNA that the project includes erection of 350-km, small-scale transfer lines and electricity stations currently underway in border regions with the cooperation of the two countries and funded by a USD 75 million credit given by the Export Development Bank of Iran.

He added that the EDBI had also allocated a USD 40 million credit for construction of the Astara-Baku road.

He said Iran has allocated USD 3 million for development projects in Azerbaijan, adding that Tehran would take further steps to help Baku meet its electricity needs within the framework of an agreement which is to be signed in the future.

Pointing to his country's consular activities in Azerbaijan and facilitation of visits by Azeri nationals to Iran, the envoy said the Iranian embassy in Baku issues an average of 200 visas daily to Azeri nationals, charging the government fee of USD 44 per visa.

"The Iranian embassy in Baku issues one-month visas for Azeri nationals in 24 hours while the Azeri side issues one-week visas for Iranians in a month," Soleymani said.

He said that travel of Azeri nationals to Iran is being facilitated by the government through agreements signed with the Azeri government.

"Azeri nationals in border regions can enter up to 45km inside Iran from the border four times a year with no need for a visa." He said that Iran also issues one-week tourist visas at Imam Khomeini International Airport for Azeri nationals.

Moreover, the ambassador said that Iran has also regulations facilitating travel by people in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan to Iran.

He said that the demands of Iranian and Azeri nationals for cancellation of visas will be met taking into account the friendly ties of the two neighboring countries. IRNA