Ahmadinejad: Tehran-Baku Ties Not To Be Affected By Juncture Events

Tehran, March 13, IRNA – Iran's president said here Monday in a meeting with visiting Azeri defense minister that Tehran-Baku relations are deep-rooted and brotherly, adding, “These relations would never be affected by events occurring in certain time junctures.” According to the information website of the Presidential Office, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad added in his Monday evening meeting with the visiting Defense Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan General Safar Abiyev, “The Islamic Republic of Iran always supports the independence, grandeur, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” He added, “Ever since remote past the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have always been intimate and brotherly and there has never been any problem in our nations’ bilateral ties.” The president emphasized that care should be taken not to let the enemies and the satins to influence the two countries’ relations, adding, “The enemies are opposed to the expansion of Tehran-Baku relations; of course there are unreal problems which can be solved, after which the level of bilateral relations can be improved.” Ahmadinejad added, “Today the shared enemies of our countries wish there were neither any Iran, nor any Azerbaijan on the world map, because they have always been merely after securing only their own interests so that they would thus exert their hegemony over both Iran and Azerbaijan.” The president meanwhile pointed out, “We are certain that no threat would ever be imposed against Iran from the side of our friendly and brother country of Azerbaijan and I assure you that Tehran-Baku relations would never be damaged, because Iran always considers the advancement and grandeur of the Republic of Azerbaijan as its own advancement, and this is not a matter to be easily destroyed.” Emphasizing that the political and economic relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have always been regulated based on the negotiations between the two countries’ top officials, reiterating, “These relations would definitely never be influenced by the intrigues of any person, group, or media.” Ahmadinejad then referred to the constructive negotiations between the defense ministers of the two countries, arguing, “Efforts must be made so that these relations would expand more than ever before, because the expansion of Tehran-Baku relations would in addition to our two countries’ benefit, secure the interests of the entire regional countries.” In the meeting he meanwhile congratulated the Norouz New Year (on March 20th) to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev. AZERI DEFENSE MIN. ASKS FOR BROADER COOPERATION WITH IRAN The Defense Minister of Azerbaijan Safar Abiyev, too, during the meeting expressed delight over having the chance to visit Iran, asking for expansion of the level of bilateral cooperation. General Abiyev pointed out that Tehran Azerbaijan relations are both deep-rooted and expanding, emphasizing that no country in the world can harm the intimate relations between the two countries. He added that Azerbaijan, like always in the past, will never permit any country to take advantage of its land, or air, against Iran, which we consider our brother and friend country. Earlier in the day the Azeri defense minister had a meeting with his Iranian counterpart and host during his visit Iran. Iran and Azerbaijan ties are historical and their cooperation in field of defense provides regional security, Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said on Monday in his meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Safar Abiyev. “Iran is ready to develop relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan and to help the resolution of Karabakh issue,” Vahidi stated. He noted that Iran and Azerbaijan, as two important countries of the region, should confer on international affairs. Vahidi expressed Iran’s readiness to provide Azerbaijan with its needed military equipment. Azerbaijan’s defense minister for his part pointed to Tehran-Baku cultural relations, adding that there is trust between Iran and Republic of Azerbaijan. “There are great potentials for expansion of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan,” he added. The Azerbaijani defense minister called for Tehran’s help in resolution of Karabakh issue. Abiyev added that fighting against terrorism is the duty of all countries and the two countries can develop their cooperation in battle against drug trafficking and terrorism. “Azerbaijan cooperation with some countries and international institutions is based on international rules and regulations and not against any third country,” he said. Abiyev underlined that his country will under no condition let any country use its soil against Iran. Describing Iran as the strongest country in the Islamic world, he said although enemies are struggling to mar Baku-Tehran relations, the two countries must manage to stop hostile media from misusing the situation. Expressing his country’s commitment to good-neighborly relations with Iran as honest, Abiyev said that Azerbaijan is in need of support from Iran as a powerful country of the region. The Azeri minister described Iran-Azerbaijan defense cooperation as a key to peace and stability of the region. Iran has an embassy in Baku and a consulate-general in the autonomous republic of Nakhichevan. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tehran and a consulate-general in Tabriz. Iran and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since the latter's independence from the former Soviet Union. The two countries have a majority Shi'a population and share many cultural commonalities. Iran has made extensive mediation efforts to settle the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh./end