Raisi: Constructive ties between neighbors bolster regional security

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Abdulla Oghlu Mustafayev in Tehran on Thursday.

During the meeting, Raisi stressed that the existence of constructive relations between neighboring countries is the most important factor that can strengthen regional security.

“The existence of constructive relations on the basis of mutual interests between neighboring countries, including Iran and Azerbaijan, is the most effective factor in maintaining and bolstering the regional security,” Iran’s Raisi said.

The Iranian President also stated that Tehran supports increasing the level of economic, political, cultural, and commercial cooperation with Azerbaijan, most notably in the transit industry.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Raisi warned that the US and "Israel" are hostile to regional countries and other nations around the world.

“Iran and Azerbaijan are more than mere neighbors as they share the same religion and the same culture... No factor must be allowed to harm the two countries’ friendly relations,” he stressed.

On his account, Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the Republic of Azerbaijan is persistently pursuing the implementation of bilateral agreements with Iran.

The Azeri official went on to say that new plans are being developed to implement new rail, road, and transit projects in order to improve relations between the two neighbors.

“Iran-Azerbaijan relations have improved and developed in every field,” he added.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister praised the implementation of the gas swap project between Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan, adding that Baku favors increasing the volume of swapped gas and also wishes to swap Turkmenistan's electricity to Azerbaijan via Iran.