Iran-Azerbaijan hold 1st round of defense talks

Baku, Oct 11, IRNA – The Iranian and Azeri defense ministers held the first round of their talks here Monday morning.

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his Azeri counterpart General Safar Abiyev took part in the talks.

During the talks, Vahidi described ties between the two countries as solid and said the two nations enjoyed deep cultural, religious, social, ethnic and lingual relations.

He noted that Iran and Azerbaijan were two countries which deeply contributed to the stability in the region and played a very great role in promotion of security and economic development in the region.

Pointing to the growing mutual relations, the Iranian minister stressed that the present dynamic trend of affairs between the two countries should further accelerate specially in defense areas.

The Azeri defense minister, too, expressed happiness over the presence of Vahidi in his country and welcomed expansion of ties between the two countries.

He further appreciated Iran’s justice-seeking and peace-loving positions in international bodies and noted that Azerbaijan, too, has always advocated peace, stability and security in the region.

Vahidi arrived in the Azeri capital Monday on a two-day official visit.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, the minister said that joint cultural, historical and religious common points between Tehran and Baku have paved the way for strengthening of bilateral ties and cooperation.

He said that he would discuss major bilateral, regional and international issues with senior Azeri officials including President Ilham Aliyev and Minister of Defense Industries Yavar Jamalov.

Vahidi stressed that exchange of visits between high-ranking delegations of the two countries would play a key role in providing regional peace, stability and security./end