TEHRAN -- Devising a legal regime for the Caspian Sea based on international law and norms would satisfy the interests and exigencies of both Baku and Tehran, said the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Velayat Qoliev.

Reliable sources reported that Qoliev has emphasized that after reaching an agreement on the legal regime of the Caspian Sea the region would turn into an ideal area for multilateral, regional cooperation among all the littoral states.

Iran and Azerbaijan's viewpoints are close and I hope we can reach an agreement this year, he said.

The top Azeri diplomat noted that the visit of Azerbaijan's president to Iran last year created a climax in the two countries relations.

He added that trips and visits between the officials of the two countries had increased tremendously during this time and Tehran-Baku Joint Economic Commission has become more active.

He further added that macro economic plans that were in blue print for years have entered an operational phase now due to the visit.

Elsewhere in his talks, Qoliev said that President Khatami has accepted President Aliev's official invitation to visit Azerbaijan and noted that the visit is scheduled to take place in 2003.