TEHRAN, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The defense ministers of Iran and Azerbaijan met on Wednesday in Iran's capital Tehran to discuss regional issues and military cooperation, official news agency IRNA reported.
Thanks to historical and cultural commonalities between Iran and Azerbaijan, the two neighbors should develop relations and reinforce cooperation in defense and security sectors, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said following meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov.
"Given their place and special geopolitical features, the two countries have great capacities and opportunities for the enhancement of relations in all fields," Ashtiani added.
For his part, Hasanov expressed gratitude to the Iranian government for supporting Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
Lauding Iran's military capabilities and progress in the defense industry, the Azerbaijani minister also called for the expansion of relations with Iran.
Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Hasanov arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for talks on military cooperation between the two neighbors. ■
