Islam Times - Iran, Azedrbaijan agree to enhance bilateral ties

Islam Times - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for the further expansion of ties between Iran and Azerbaijan, particularly in the field of defense industries.

President Ahmadinejad called for the enhancement of Tehran-Baku ties during a meeting with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev in Tehran on Monday.

The Iranian president also expressed confidence that neighboring Azerbaijan would never allow its territory to be used against Iran.

“The mutual enemies of the two countries seek to halt the enhancement of ties between Tehran and Baku,” Ahmadinejad added.

Abiyev, for his part, said that no country can disrupt the warm relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, expressing optimism that collaboration between the two nations would further expand.

In a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi earlier in the day, Abiyev also reiterated that Azerbaijan would not allow its territory to be used against its southern neighbor, Iran.

Azerbaijan wants peace, stability, and security in the region and closer military cooperation guarantees regional peace, he added.

The relations between the two neighbors were strained after Azerbaijan signed a $1.5-billion military deal with the Israeli regime for the purchase of drones and anti-aircraft and missile systems.

Last month, Tehran summoned Azeri Ambassador Javanshir Akhundov to protest Baku’s military pact with Tel Aviv.

However, Azeri officials insisted that the weapons were purchased to liberate the country’s occupied territories.