President hopes for expansion of Iran-Azerbaijan defence cooperation
IRNA web site, Tehran
22 Dec 04
Baku, 23 December: Azerbaijan Republic’s President Elham Aliyev said
in a meeting with Iran’s visiting Defence Minister Rear Admiral Ali
Shamkhani here Wednesday evening [22 December], “I sincerely hope
defence cooperation between our two countries would expand to an
unprecedented level.”
President Aliyev added: Expansion of ties between the Islamic Republic
of Iran and the Azerbaijan Republic is not only in the interest
of our two nations, but a move aimed at boosting regional peace,
security and stability.
The Azeri president meanwhile wished success for the Iranian defence
minister in his talks with Azeri officials.
Aliyev considered President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami’s state visit
of Azerbaijan Republic earlier this year during which a number of
cooperation documents were signed between the two countries’ officials,
quite successful and effective in boosting bilateral ties.
He added: Presently the agreements reached between the two countries
are being implemented properly and based on the pre-determined
schedules.
Referring to the continuous trips made by the two countries’ officials
to each others’ capitals, President Aliyev said: That is the Best
sign for excellent bilateral cooperation in all fields.
The Azeri president concluded: I am sure my upcoming visit of Iran,
too, would be successful, leading to further expansion of comprehensive
bilateral ties.
Rear Admiral Shamkhani, too, during the meeting conveyed President
Khatami’s best salutes to President Aliyev, stressing that Iran is
quite ready for a warm welcome to him.
Shamkhani added: All countries in the region need to adopt moderate
security approaches to pave the ground for greater cooperation and
for implementation of bilateral agreements.
Focusing on Iran and Azerbaijan’s shared cultures, religions and
historical backgrounds, he appreciated President Aliyev’s serious
efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in defence
and security fields.
Shamkhani reiterated: Preventing the occurrence of avoidable crises
in the region in order to boost lasting regional security can lead
to peace and stability in Caucasus and Caspian Sea regions.
Emphasizing that safeguarding the Caspian Sea region’s security depends
on shared efforts of all regional countries, Iran’s defence minister
added: Prevailing realities and special status of the region prove
any type of foreign forces’ presence can be hazardous to peace and
stability in this strategic region.”
Shamkhani at the end presented a report on defence capabilities
of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Azeri president, asking for
promotion of a comprehensive and dynamic defence cooperation between
Iran Azerbaijan.
Earlier in the evening the defence ministers of Iran met his Azeri
counterpart and conferred with him about regional armies’ cooperation
to boost joint security in Caucasus region.
He referred to the deep bilateral understanding and mutual trust,
as well as comprehensive defence and security consultations, as main
prerequisites for establishment of a comprehensive bilateral defence
cooperation.
Shamkhani added: Joint efforts aimed at boosting regional peace
and stability is the main axis for Iran-Azerbaijan comprehensive
cooperation.
The Iranian defence minister said: Presently terrorism, narcotic drugs
and arms smuggling, organized crime, and vast presence of foreign
forces are biggest threats against regional security and such threats
cannot be eliminated, except through effective regional cooperation
and constant consultative interactions.
The Azeri Defence Minister Safar Abiev, too, appreciated his country’s
ever-improving ties and cooperation with Iran and considered the
Iranian defence minister’s visit of Baku “a very effective move in
further strengthening bilateral ties.”
Abiev added: The Islamic Republic of Iran was among the first countries
in the world to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan Republic
and the Azeri nation will never forget that.
The Azerbaijan Republic is situated in eastern Transcaucasia, on
the western coast of the Caspian Sea. To the South it borders Iran,
to the West Armenia, to the North-West Georgia, and to the North the
Republic of Dagestan, in Russia.
The Nakhichevan autonomous Republic is a part of Azerbaijan, although
it is separated form the rest of Azerbaijan by Armenian territory.
Azerbaijan also includes the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast,
which is largely populated by the Armenians, but does not legally
constitute a part of Armenia.
Rear Admiral Shamkhani arrived in Baku On Wednesday for a two day
visit aimed at consultations to establish an effective regional
security pact.