During a meeting with representatives of the East and West Azerbaijan provinces in the parliament on Thursday, Raisi said that "foreigners in the region are pursuing their own expansionist interests and we will not allow the Zionists to disrupt our relations with our neighbors".
The President added that good neighborliness, economic and trade relations, and the activation of border markets are among the programs and policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and bartering with neighbors can help develop the economy and further relations with countries in the region".
He described the completion of semi-finished infrastructure plans and projects in different parts of the country as the first priority of the government in the provinces, and said adding that "in our provincial trips, we are not looking to begin new projects, and all we are trying to do is the completion of semi-finished projects in various fields to help youth employment and development of the country".
Referring to the issue of transportation roads and rail corridors as one of the important issues and problems mentioned by the representatives of the two provinces, President Raisi said that completion of transportation and railway projects in the provinces can play a very important role in the development of trade and economy of this region.
In response to the concerns of the representatives of West Azerbaijan about the situation of Lake Urmia and the environmental effects and consequences of drought and water shortage in the region, the President noted that "the Lake Urmia Restoration Task Force will be activated in a new form so that it can address the concerns of the people".
Pointing to the issue of buying agricultural products, Raisi said that "guaranteed purchase of agricultural products in different provinces, including apples and grapes in Orumiyeh and dates in the southern provinces is part of the government's plans and we believe gardeners and farmers should not have concerns about selling their product".
Regarding the statements made by the representatives of the border cities of West and East Azerbaijan provinces, the President emphasized communication with neighbors and strengthening economic and trade cooperation at the borders through border bazaars, and said, "In the government, we have no problem communicating with our 15 neighboring countries, and relations with our neighbors are our priority".
Raisi stressed that the path should be clear for those who trade legally, and obliged the governors-general of the border provinces to find a suitable solution for the transfer and exchange of goods at the borders through the legal route.
Referring to the election of new governors-general of East and West Azerbaijan provinces, President Raisi said, "The new governors-general have started their work in the two provinces with a revolutionary spirit and I am sure that with the cooperation and empathy of the managers and people of the province along with the representatives, problems will be solved, and people will feel that new conditions have been created in the country".
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