2010-05-03 –

Iran Ready to Expand All-Out Ties with Azerbaijan

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar in a meeting
with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Monday stressed the necessity
for the expansion of all-out ties between the two countries.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has no limitation for developing all-out ties
with the Republic of Azerbaijan and is completely prepared to expand
bilateral ties in all fields," Najjar said.

He also reiterated that Iran supports development and deepening of economic
and trade relations in the two countries’ bordering areas since it believes
that the measure can prove effective in improving the living standards of
the local people in such areas.

Najjar further viewed the two nations’ abundant cultural and religious
commonalities as a good potential to consolidate bilateral relations, and
appreciated the Azeri nation and government for their support for Iran’s
peaceful nuclear program and opposition to the arrogant powers’
double-standard policies in this regard.

During the meeting, Aliyev termed the relations between Tehran and Baku a
role model of friendly and brotherly ties, and said his country seeks
further expansion of relations with Iran in all the various fields.

Elsewhere, he referred to Iran’s right to use peaceful nuclear technology,
and said Azerbaijan denounces all the allegations made against Iran on the
international scene and stands on the side of the Iranian nation and
government.

Iran has recently enhanced efforts to boost political, economic and cultural
ties and cooperation with regional and neighboring countries, specially
those in the Central Asia.

Iranian and Azerbaijani officials in January inked a short-term agreement to
transfer gas from the Central Asian country to Iran.

Iran is forced to import gas for its northern territories because the
country’s terrain obstructs supply routes from the energy-rich south.

Azerbaijan and Iran are linked currently via the 1474.5 kilometer-long
Kazi-Magomed-Astara gas pipeline.

In December Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohammad Baqer Bahrami spoke of
plans to construct a new pipeline to import Azeri gas supplies into Iran,
saying that a new pipeline is needed to supply Iran with the 5 billion cubic
meters of gas that it would like to import from Azerbaijan every year.

©2006 Fars News Agency.