Tehran-Baku Cooperation Provides Regional Security: Vahidi

Tehran, March 13, IRNA – The Islamic Republic of Iran and Republic of Azerbaijan relations are historical and their cooperation in field of defense provides regional security, Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said on Monday. He made the remark in a meeting with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev. “Iran is ready to develop relations with Republic of Azerbaijan and to help the resolution of Karabakh issue,” Vahidi stated. He noted that Iran and Azerbaijan Republic 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 the 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. The Islamic Republic of Iran has made extensive mediation efforts to settle the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh. /end