Enhanced Tehran-Baku ties serve two countries’ interests

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has expressed confidence that the development of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan would serve the interests of both countries.

Addressing a joint press conference with his Azeri counterpart, Elmar Mammadyarov, in Baku on Monday, Zarif added that the two sides exchanged views on ways to improve economic and political ties, international cooperation as well as multilateral relations involving the two neighbors.

He said extremism is the main problem in the region, adding, “We will stand by the Azerbaijan Republic to counter such major challenges.”

Iran seeks the establishment of stability in the region and emphasizes that all problems should be settled peacefully through dialog and respect for international rights, he added.

The Iranian minister described the Caspian Sea as the region of “friendship and cooperation” and said Tehran and Baku should cooperate in this region in accordance with their common interests.

Karabakh dispute

Zarif further stressed the importance of international law, respect for territorial integrity and avoidance of force in settling the decades-old dispute on the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Since the outbreak of the problem, Iran has moved to help the people in Azerbaijan while trying to find a solution to the dispute, he noted.