President Hassan Rouhani says sanctions are a "rusty weapon" which is no longer effective.
In a joint press conference with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Wednesday, the president said, "We believe that the rusty weapon of sanctions is no longer effective and we should all cooperate to establish and expand peace and stability in the world," the Mehr news agency reported. The two presidents called for greater bilateral relations and reiterated, "No third country or power in the world can hinder Tehran-Baku friendly relations."
Referring to the great potential for expansion of bilateral relations, Rouhani said, "The people in Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan enjoy so many cultural, religious, and historical similarities, which is the main basis for more ties." Rouhani stated that the two countries have great capacities for mutual cooperation in energy, business, communications, science and technology and culture, adding, "Today the two governments are seriously resolved to put the potential into operation to bring the two states closer to each other." Aliyev, for his part, touched on the friendly and brotherly relations between the two neighboring states and said, "The Republic of Azerbaijan stands by Iran in all international assemblies."
He reiterated, "Iran and Azerbaijan enjoy lasting cordial relations and no power has the capacity to undermine our amicable relations."
