Iranian, Azeri parliament speakers meet, talk bilateral ties

Speakers of Azerbaijani and Iranian parliaments, Oqtay Asadov and Ali Larijani met on Monday on the sidelines of a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Economic Cooperation Organization (PAECO), Fars news agency reported.

During the meeting, the officials underlined the need for maintaining vigilance against the plots hatched by the enemies to create a rift between Tehran and Baku.

Asadov and Larijani explored avenues for the expansion of bilateral ties and mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides noted that that there are some countries which do not like Iran and Azerbaijan to have friendly ties and hatch plots to hinder their convergence and solidarity.

Pointing to his recent visit to Azerbaijan and his fruitful meetings with Azeri officials, Larijani said, "There are some people who do not like Iran and Azerbaijan to have friendly relations, but we are two countries with bonds."

The Azeri parliament speaker, for his part, described Iran and Azerbaijan as two brotherly countries with abundant commonalities.

"I accept your word that certain people are displeased with the expansion of our relations and want to damage our relationship, hence we should be vigilant against their moves," Asadov said, confirming Larijani's remarks.

Last month, the Azerbaijani parliament speaker and Iranian Ambassador to Baku Mohsen Pakayeen underlined expansion of parliamentary ties between the two countries.

Pointing to the commonalities of Iran and Azerbaijan, Pakayeen urged for the expansion of cooperation between the two neighboring nations, saying, "Potentials for mutual cooperation are much greater than the existing relations."

Asadov, for his part, welcomed exchange of parliamentary delegations between the two countries, and described as important the broadening of relations between the two countries in economic, cultural, scientific and parliamentary fields.

"Boosting mutual cooperation is in the interest of the two brotherly and Muslim states," the Azeri speaker said.

Iran has recently enhanced efforts to boost political, economic, security and cultural ties and cooperation with the regional and neighboring countries, specially those in the Central Asia.