Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi held a meeting with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Friday during a visit to the northwestern neighbor to discuss mutual cooperation.
Speaking to IRNA after the meeting, Alavi highlighted close collaboration between the intelligence and security services of the two countries, underscoring the high potential for expansion of such relations.
“Over the past five years [under Iranian President Hassan Rouhani], Iran and Azerbaijan’s security services have had positive, constructive and growing relations that have brought about sustainable security for both countries,” he said.
According to the minister, combating global terrorism, organized crime and drug smuggling, and the exchange of information, are key areas of collaboration between the two states’ intelligence and security services.
Alavi noted that due to shared historical, religious and lingual features, the two countries are closely linked in terms of security, which calls for greater cooperation in this regard.
“A contract has been drafted by Iranian and Azeri services for strengthening security ties, which we hope will be signed during this visit,” he said.
The Iranian minister also conveyed a message by Rouhani to Aliyev, saying that “the security of Iran and Azerbaijan are inseparable”.
The Azeri president said the two neighbors already have close relations that will expand successfully.
“Visits to Azerbaijan by the Iranian president and high-ranking officials have a key role in boosting mutual ties,” he said.
Aliyev assured that the documents signed between Tehran and Baku will be implemented soon.
