Enemies cannot harm Iran-Azerbaijan ties: Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN,May 1(MNA) – The Iranian president said on Monday that thanks to the vigilant nations of Iran and Azerbaijan, enemies cannot harm the brotherly relations between the two neighboring countries. During a meeting with Secretary of Azerbaijan’s National Security Council Ramiz Mehdiyev in Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that enemies are using intelligence services, ignorant people, and Western media outlets to harm relations between nations. “Tehran and Baku enjoy old-rooted ties,” he noted. Ahmadinejad also called for bolstering ties in various areas. The Azeri official, for his part, hailed Iran as its “great friend”, and called for expansion of ties, saying that both sides have good potential for this purpose. In a separate meeting on Monday with Mehdiyev, Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili said common opportunities and threats have laid the groundwork to strengthen cooperation between Tehran and Baku in different cultural, political, and economic areas. “The Islamic republic of Iran is ready to further expand bilateral ties, using its full potential and expertise,” Jalili added. For his part, Mehdiyev emphasized that a powerful and developed Iran meet the interests of the Azeri government and nation. The Azeri diplomat also held a meeting with Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani during which the Iranian official reiterated that Tehran is ready to help resolve the Karabakh issue, which has dragged on since ethnic Armenian forces took control of the region during a war in the early 1990s. Both Azerbaijan and Armenia claim the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is mainly populated by Armenians but located in Azerbaijan. Iran had earlier extended an offer to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the dispute.