Iran Considers South Caucasus as Its National Security
Rouhani told Azeri Ambassador to Tehran Abbasali K. Hasanov that Iran considers south Caucasus as its national security zone and cannot remain indifferent toward what's going on in that region.
He said that Iran is closely following up developments concerning settlement of problems facing the Caucasus region. The regional problem should be removed on the basis of the interests of all regional people, justice, stability and security. The people of Azerbaijan too should attain their due rights, he added.
Iran will not spare any efforts to restore peace in the region, said Rouhani, adding that Iran attaches great significance to ties with Azerbaijan. He said that Iranian and Azeri nations' determination to expand mutual ties indicates their close bonds and their deep historical and cultural links.
On the Caspian Sea legal regime, Rouhani said one of the important areas of cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan is the Caspian Sea.
He stressed that caspian problem can be solved without foreigners' intervention. Iran-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan consensus will facilitate final agreement among five littoral states, he added.
Hassanov said for his part that the Azeri people will never forget Iran's assistance during the time they were facing hardships during Azerbaijan's independence from former Soviet Union.
Enemies of Iran and Azerbaijan are trying hard to ruin atmosphere of trust between Iran and Azerbaijan but common historical, cultural and religious commonalties between the Iranian and Azeri nations are so firm that despite such efforts mutual ties are growing.