The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that Tehran will continue its visa-free and “open arms” policy toward the Azerbaijani citizens.
Nasser Kanaani made the remarks in a post on his Twitter page in response to a Saturday statement by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, in which it said Azerbaijani citizens “are strongly recommended” not to visit Iran without necessity.
Kanaani emphasized that pursuing a neighbor-oriented policy based on mutual respect and good-neighborliness manners is Iran’s priority and on its agenda.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in its statement that “citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan are strongly recommended not to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran without necessity, and those entering this country should remain as vigilant as possible.”
It also advised that Azerbaijani citizens currently in Iran should observe “the safety rules.”
The statement was issued after Azerbaijan sent on Friday a note of protest to the Iranian side in relation to the arrest of Azerbaijani citizen Farid Safarli, whom the Iranian authorities accuse of espionage.
Safarli, a university student based in Germany, arrived in Iran in early March. Since then, the contact with him has been lost.
Azerbaijan has demanded Iranian authorities determine his fate.
