Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

An Azerbaijani delegation led by the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade has held meetings with several Iranian officials as part of his official visit to Tehran.

On Saturday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad received chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Pashazade, Iranian media reported.

Iran's President has hailed the Tehran-Baku ties as friendly and excellent, saying Iran wants dignity, progress and welfare for Azerbaijan.

"Iran and Azerbaijan are two brother nations and governments and Iran is pleased to see Azerbaijan's independence, progress and dignity," said Ahmadinejad in a meeting with chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Pashazadeh.

He said that the Tehran-Baku cooperation is based on brotherhood and religion, stressing that Iran and Azerbaijan have always stood by each other and would continue to do so.

"Today our most urgent duty is to consolidate cooperation between the two countries so that it would not cross the mind of any ill-wisher to mar the relations between the two states," Ahmadinejad added.

According to the Iranian president, the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan are based on brotherhood, religion and love.

"These qualities distinguish the relations of the two countries from other states. Azerbaijan and Iran are two brotherly nations and states. Iran supports the independence and development of Azerbaijan, and we hope that Azerbaijan will continue to develop in the same way. There will always be a place for the nation and the state of Azerbaijan in our hearts," the president said.

Pashazadeh, for his part, transferred a friendly greeting of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the Iranian president. He expressed gratitude for warm welcome and hospitality.

He said that Azerbaijan seeks friendship and brotherhood with Iran.

The two countries are supporters of each other and seek to boost ties based on friendship and brotherhood, Pashazadeh noted.

Azerbaijan Elders Council head Fettah Heydarov, who was also in the meeting, said that Heydar Aliev, late Azerbaijani president, had always emphasized upon Azerbaijan's relations being in highest level with Iran, and now "we are seeking this objective."

Besides, the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Pashazadeh on Sunday met with the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili.

Jalili praised deep-rooted amicable relations between Iran and Azerbaijan and expressed Tehran's readiness to strengthen cooperation with Baku.

"Iran regards Azerbaijan's independence, progress, and stability as its own stability and advancement and like in the past it will spare no effort in this regard," Jalili stated.

The SNSC secretary added that religious and Islamic capacities in Azerbaijan are the best support for the country's territorial integrity, progress and security and called on Baku to utilize such potential to settle woes.

Pashazadeh, for his part, said the Iranian and Azerbaijani nations have brotherly relations with historical bonds and added that his country would not allow enemies to sow the seeds of discord among neighboring countries.

Also, on the same day, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office met with the Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

During the meeting, Larijani said the relations between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan are beyond favorable coexistence and good neighborly ties, reiterating, "The religious, sectarian, and historical ties of the two nations serve as the best cradle for expansion of brotherly and close relations between the two countries."

He furthermore considered the economic cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan as an important part of the two countriesˈ relations, adding, the entire existing potentials for broadening bilateral ties must be employed.

In turn, Pashazade, said that the two countries relations are based on the deep-rooted pillars of friendship and brotherhood, adding, the people of Azerbaijan would never forget Iran's support at times of need of their country.

Besides, as part of a visit to Iran, a delegation of Azerbaijan led by chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Pashazade met on Sunday the country`s supreme religious leader Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei.

They discussed relations between the two countries and peoples.

Pashazade delivered Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev`s greetings to Sayed Ali Khamenei. He spoke of the development of Azerbaijan, protection of human rights and religious freedom in the country.

He informed that new mosques were built in Azerbaijan and old ones were repaired. "A few days ago with participation of President Aliyev Shamakhi Juma Mosque was opened after major overhaul."

Khamenei, in turn, asked Pashazade to convey his greetings to President Ilham Aliyev. The supreme religious leader said he was aware of the development process in Azerbaijan. Khamenei noted Iran always supports Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.