Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and his accompanying delegation met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, October 16.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader referred to the common culture and history and religion of the two nations of Iran and Azerbaijan. He stated that there have so far been good relations between the two countries, but that the cooperation between the two sides should be higher than its present level.
Ayatollah Khamenei noted that cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan in the oil and gas sector can be one of the areas of mutual cooperation. He also touched on the positive results of the summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states in Tehran on Tuesday.
"The more the Caspian Sea littoral states increase their cooperation, especially their economic cooperation, the more these countries will benefit from this cooperation," Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic pointed out that extraregional powers and Zionists are opposed to cordial relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Azerbaijan.
"One should remain wary of such provocations. However, the political will of Azerbaijan's government is indicative of the firmness and stability of this country's positions vis-à-vis the opponents of good relations between the two countries," the Leader observed.
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, for his part, expressed great pleasure over his meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Republic. He described the negotiations and ratifications of the summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states in Tehran as very positive.
"The determination of the officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan to further expand brotherly relations with the Islamic republic of Iran is firm and unshakeable, and Azerbaijan's government is quite vigilant concerning the provocations of those who are opposed to the relations between the two countries," President Aliyev told the Leader.
The Azeri president further described the joint communiqué issued at the summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states as a great achievement. He stressed that the communiqué will create more unanimity between the five littoral states of the Caspian Sea.