Iran's First VP, Azerbaijan's President Stress Strengthening of Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in a meeting in Turkish city of Istanbul underlined elevation of ties between Tehran and Baku.
Jahangiri and Aliyev who are in Istanbul to attend the Developing 8 (D8) Summit met on Thursday evening.
During the meeting, Iranian first vice president hoped for the removal of barriers on the way of promotion of Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey cooperation in the upcoming trilateral summit of Iran, the Azerbaijan Republic and Turkey.
The official pointed to Tehran and Baku's efforts for establishment of a corridor which connects the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, and said, “The new route can boost regional cooperation between Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia.”
He hoped for completion of the Rasht-Astara-Baku railway line before the Azeri president’s upcoming visit to Iran.
Jahangiri referred to good cooperation between Tehran and Baku at mutual, regional and international levels, noting that the Iranian Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian’s visit to Baku next week can help progress of relations.
Pointing to decline of terrorism in Syria and Iraq, Jahangiri voiced hope that peace returns to the region.
Jahangiri called terrorism a big trouble for the Islamic countries, noting that it has been created and sponsored by global powers.
Also at the meeting, the Azeri president expressed his satisfaction with the collapse of Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL) strongholds in the region, noting that “the two countries’ security forces should boost their activities” for countering such groups.
He, too, wished a successful trilateral summit of Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
“Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan’s trilateral cooperation can ensure security and economic development,” he said.
He also referred to construction of Iran Khodro Group (IKCO) assembly line in the Azerbaijan Republic and said Baku is interested in boosting industrial cooperation with Iran.
