Iran Offers Joint Arms Production to Azerbaijan

(FNA)- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and Azeri Minister of Defense Industry Yavar Jamalov in a meeting in Baku underlined the need for the two neighboring states to widen cooperation in manufacturing defense industry products.

"The defense industry exchanges can help enhance technical cooperation in military fields," Dehqan said during the meeting on Monday.

The Iranian defense minister reiterated that there are very good opportunities for the further expansion of mutual cooperation, and said, "Both sides should take these chances to upgrade their defense and technological capabilities."

Brigadier General Dehqan said that Iran considers Azerbaijan an independent, advanced and powerful nation.

He pointed to the abundant capabilities and capacities of Iran's defense ministry in different areas, and underlined the need for expediting the pace of cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan.

The Azeri minister of defense industry, for his part, reiterated that Iran and Azerbaijan are two friendly and brotherly countries, and said, "The Azeri people will always remember Iran as the first country that recognized the independence of Azerbaijan."

Jamalov referred to his previous visit to Iran during which Baku and Tehran signed a cooperation protocol, and said, "Continued cooperation will benefit both countries, reinforce their defense power and result in tranquility, security and stability in the region."

The Azeri minister of defense industry expressed the hope that Brigadier General Dehqan's visit to Baku would help enhance cooperation in different defense, military and technical areas.

In relevant remarks last year, Brigadier General Dehqan announced Tehran's readiness to supply Baku with its needed military equipment and trainings.

"The principled policy of the 11th government, specially President Rouhani, is based on the development of mutual cooperation with the neighboring countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan has an important position in the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy," Dehqan said in a meeting with his Azeri counterpart General Zakir Hasanov in Tehran.

He stressed Iran's preparedness to supply Baku with its military needs, and expressed the hope that Hasanov's visit would pave the ground for the further promotion of defense and military relations between the two countries.

Hasanov, for his part, referred to Iran and Azerbaijan's cultural, historical, political and religious commonalities, and said, "Iran is a great regional country and Azerbaijan's friend and neighbor and cooperation with Tehran is a top priority in our country's foreign policy."