Iran's President: We will not allow insecurity, foreign interference in region

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with the President of Iran at the residence of Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, and the two Presidents discussed important regional issues and bilateral relations.

Referring to the deep roots of civilisation, culture and religion between the two nations of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ayatollah Raisi said, "The two countries have a long-standing and deep-rooted relationship and we will never allow these relations to be influenced by the enemies".

Recalling Iran's support for Azerbaijan's independence and territorial integrity, the President said, "We do not allow insecurity and foreign interference in the affairs of countries in the region, and experience has shown that wherever countries in the region resolve their issues through understanding and negotiation, outsiders have not been able to interfere".

Expressing concern over insecurity and the presence of outsiders in the region, the President stated, "ISIS and Zionist terrorism are two threatening factors in the region and must be confronted".

Referring to the goals of the United States and the Zionist Regime to disrupt relations between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ayatollah Raisi stressed, "Foreign interference is to the detriment of the countries of the region and we must be vigilant against their conspiracy".

Ayatollah Raisi welcomed the request of the President of Azerbaijan to strengthen economic relations between the two countries and develop transit routes with the presence of Iranian companies.

The President of Azerbaijan said, "A special work group will be formed from senior government officials to follow up and implement the agreements reached".

In this meeting, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev praised Iran's unprecedented support for the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and said, "Baku attaches special importance to its fraternal relations with Tehran and we will not allow any damage to happen to these relations".

Referring to the talks and contacts between the officials of the two countries to resolve some misunderstandings between the two countries, the President of Azerbaijan stated, "We are committed to the security of the border areas and will not allow any country to disrupt bilateral relations".

Referring to the importance of transit and road transport, the President of Azerbaijan said, "We are determined to solve the problem of transit and provide the ground for the presence and activity of Iranian companies in Azerbaijan".

Aliyev also said, "This meeting will be a turning point in relations between the two countries and we are committed to securing the regional interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran".

At the end of the meeting, a gas swap agreement was signed.

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