IRNA, Iran
January 24, 2005 Monday 8:55 PM EST

Azeri president, Iranian FM discuss bilateral ties

Tehran, January 24

Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi met here on Monday night with
visiting Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and discussed the latest
developments in bilateral relations and regional issues.

President Aliyev referred to Iran`s status in the region and said
Iran is a great and respected country in the eyes of Azeri people.

Aliyev expressed satisfaction over the talks with Iranian senior
officials and said the two countries` cooperation has always been
sincere and positive.

He praised Iran`s technical and industrial abilities in production of
machineries and said this is one of the fields for exchanging
experience between Tehran and Baku.

Kharrazi, for his part, evaluated mutual ties and said Tehran-Baku
relations have always been based on mutual respect, good neighborly
relations, religious commonalities and cultural interests.

He added, “By continuation of current dialogue we hope to be able to
deepen and strengthen new capacities in our ties”.

Concerning the regional developments, especially Karabakh issues,
Kharrazi expressed hope that current negotiations between Azerbaijan
and Armenia could result in a positive outcome and establishment of
peace and security in the region.