Iran keen to boost military ties with Azerbaijan

Iranian First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri says Iran is ready to further develop defense ties with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In a meeting with Azeri Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov on Tuesday in Tehran, Jahangiri said that Iran is willing to share its experiences in building military equipment with Azerbaijan Republic.

“Iran is ready to boost its defense and military cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan without any limit,” he said.

Jahangiri said Tehran and Baku enjoy numerous cultural, historical and religious commonalities and stressed that Iran seeks a strong Azerbaijan as its neighbor.

The Islamic Republic attaches great significance to the expansion of ties with neighbors, he said, adding that Azerbaijan has a special place in Iran’s foreign policy.

The Iranian official also urged the further expansion of trade and economic ties between the two neighboring countries.

He also underlined the need for the implementation of the agreements reached during the recent visit of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to Iran.  

Hasanov, for his part, said there are numerous grounds for defense cooperation between the two countries. 

He also said that Iran and Azerbaijan have common views regarding regional and international developments and called for the further improvement of bilateral ties.

Heading a high-ranking defense delegation, Hasanov arrived in Tehran on Monday at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart, Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues with senior Iranian authorities.

On April 9, the Azeri president paid a one-day visit to the Iranian capital, where he held talks with senior Iranian authorities. During the visit, Tehran and Baku signed three Memoranda of Understanding as well as an agreement on building a joint hydroelectric power plant.

ANN.Az