Tehran-Baku Stress Fight Against Drug Trafficking

Baku, Dec 29, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador to Baku Mohsen Pakaeen, here on Thursday, discussed ways of expansion of cooperation in the campaign against drug trafficking and organized crimes with Azerbaijan Republic's Interior Minister Ramil Usubov. During the meeting, Azeri interior minister stressed the use of Tehran's experience in the field of campaign against drug trafficking and development of cooperation between the two countries against the organized crimes. 'Iran and Azerbaijan Republic have an important role in the establishment of peace and security in the region.' Iran's ambassador to Baku, for his part emphasized the importance of the two countries' cooperation against the organized crimes and drug trafficking. 'Iran and Azerbaijan Republic fight against terrorism and extremism can help the boost of regional peace and stability.' The Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Islamic Republic of Iran to the south. Iran has an embassy in Baku and a consulate-general in Nakhichevan City. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tehran and a consulate-general in Tabriz. Both countries are full members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in September called current relations between Iran and Azerbaijan as friendly and constructive, and said that Tehran tries to explore new avenues for expansion of bilateral ties. Iranian foreign minister pointed out that despite the attempts made by the enemies to sow discord between the two brotherly nations and governments, Tehran is eager to boost and strengthen mutual ties in various political, economic, business and cultural arenas with Baku./end