Iran, Azerbaijan Defense Ministers Hold Talks

Tehran, April 15, IRNA - The first round of talks between Iranˈs Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Brigadier-General Hossein Dehqan and his Azeri counterpart Colonel General Zakir Hasanov kicked off on Monday. The Azeri defense minister arrived in Tehran on Monday at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart. In the meeting, the Iranian minister referred to ample cultural affinities as well as religious commonalities between the countries and said grounds are prepared for expansion of political, cultural, economic and security cooperation between the two countries. Iran and Azerbaijan have adopted common stands on regional and international issues, said the Iranian minister, adding that the new Iranian government has called for expansion of relations and cooperation with neighboring states. Tehran attaches importance to promotion of political relations with Baku. Iran is ready to meet the requirements of Azerbaijan in defense sector, he said, adding that the current visit of the Azeri defense minister to Iran would help upgrade current level of defense and military cooperation between the two countries. Expansion of cooperation on border lines would help bring more security and tranquility for both sides, said the Iranian minister. He also referred to terrorism as the root cause of insability in the region, he said. Countries of the region should put on their agenda struggle with terrorism and violence both in the region and the world, Dehqan said. Any negligence in dealing with the issue would lead to spread of insecurity and insability and its costly damage would be beyond control, he said. The Azeri minister, for his part expressed satisfaction with the upcoming visit of the Iranian president to Azerbaijan and said the visit would lead to further defense cooperation between the two nations. The Islamic Republic of Iran is regarded as a big county in the region and Azerbaijan attaches importance to expansion of relations with Iran. Backing Iranˈs peaceful nuclear programs and welcoming the signing of a deal between Iran and six world powers, he said it is believed that cultural interaction with the world would help close the countryˈs nuclear dossier./end