Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Wednesday afternoon with IlhamAliyev, the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan. President Rouhani was also present in this meeting. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence described the geographical proximity between Iran and Azerbaijan and the religious, cultural and historical attachments between the two countries as an influential factor in strengthening the relations between the two governments, further reiterating: "We should overcome obstacles with political determination and with seriousness in following up agreements and we should strengthen the relations between the two nations and the two governments on a daily basis."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that strengthening relations with people and their religious beliefs is a guarantee for the success of governments. He said: "We should not allow some orientations to shatter national unity by promoting religious extremism and creating discord among Islamic denominations."
Ayatollah Khamenei described the negotiations and agreements between the presidents of Iran and Azerbaijan and the formation of the common economic commission between the two governments as good and appropriate, stressing: "Considering the capacities and the great resources of the two sides, the current relations between the two countries is at a very low level. I hope that this trip will be an introduction to economic and regional developments between Iran and Azerbaijan."
His Eminence mentioned that seriousness and political determination is a prerequisite for strengthening the relations between the two sides, adding: "Of course, some people - including the Zionist regime - are not pleased with the existence of strong relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan. They constantly create obstacles in the way of this process, but we can overcome these obstacles with seriousness and political determination."
President Aliyev described the bilateral negotiations between Iran and Azerbaijan as very constructive, stating: "The common economic commission between Iran and Azerbaijan began its job today and this trip will be the basis of strengthening relations in all areas including the different areas of industry, finance, transportation and tourism."
He stressed that religious extremism is a common concern for the two countries. Referring to the historical and cultural attachments between the people of Iran and Azerbaijan, he said: "Azerbaijan has a serious and definite political determination for strengthening relations with Iran."
The President of Azerbaijan mentioned that the independent policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the shade of the guidelines of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution are a model for the world and the region, further adding: "We consider Iran's power to be our own power. The strong bonds between the two countries will not allow others to exert negative influence on the relations of the two countries."