Azernews.Az

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said his country deemed progress in neighboring Azerbaijan as its own.
"The security, stability and development of the Azerbaijan Republic means development and stability of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said in a meeting with the chairman of the Supreme Majlis (parliament) of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Vasif Talybov, in Tehran, on Monday.
Pointing to the common religion, history and mutual cultural contributions of the two fraternal nations, Mottaki said these efforts were solid ground for the development of bilateral relations, Iran`s IRNA news agency reported.
"We know no obstacles to developing relations with the Azerbaijan Republic, and we believe that based on existing potential for the development of agricultural, energy, trade and economic ties, these relations could further expand."
Mottaki said Tehran was ready for the exports of gas from Central Asian states as well as Azerbaijan through the Persian Gulf.
The two also discussed the development of tourism between the two countries, Azerbaijani students` education in Iran, as well as implementation of some programs, including construction of the Julfa bridge and of the Ordubad Marazad electric power plant that link the Nakhchivan enclave with Iran.
Talybov said Azeri-Iranian relations were developing and the agreements reached during the Iranian leader`s visit to Baku were being enforced.
He noted that in the first half of 2008, 80,000 tourists from Iran visited Azerbaijan, while 72,000 people from Azerbaijan visited the neighboring country.