Rasa News Agency reports - Today the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, met with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Aliyev arrived in Tehran this morning to confer with senior Iranian officials on the latest developments in the region and discuss expansion of Tehran-Baku ties. Iranian President Hasan Rohani was also present at the meeting and they had also met earlier to sign several economic agreements.
They discussed a broad range of topics, including the religious, cultural and historical links between the two neighbouring countries and expressed their desires to strengthen bilateral and economic ties.
“The Republic of Azerbaijan has much respect and attaches importance to its relations with Iran and we want the two countries to have close relations in all areas,” President Aliyev said at the meeting.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that by strengthening the relationship between the people and their religious beliefs will guarantee the success of the government. He also warned against religious extremism and sectarianism among the various Islamic schools of thought which can destroy national unity. Iran and Azerbaijan have strong historical and cultural links.
Ayatollah Khamenei and President Aliyev also discussed economic agreements and hoped bilateral trade will increase between Iran and Azerbaijan, which was described as low, compared to the capacity of the existing facilities. President Aliyev described the discussions he has had while in Iran as positive and that Azerbaijan sought to expand its relations with Iran.
“The Zionists are not happy with the strong relations which exist between Iran and Azerbaijan and are constantly attempting to disrupt their relationship,” Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
The Supreme Leader also said that with political will and seriousness, the two friendly countries can overcome Israel’s seditious moves to create friction between Muslim nations.
The Azerbaijani president said that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s independent policies in the region and in the wider world are because of the guidance of the Supreme Leader. He noted the effect of the strong ties between Iran and Azerbaijan does not allow other countries to interfere in their bilateral relations.
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