Iran, Azerbaijan vow to increase cooperation

The leaders of Azerbaijan and Iran met Tuesday and stressed solidarity, saying the neighboring nations share converging views and should increase cooperation. "Iran is interested in Azerbaijan's development, independence and security," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said after a one-on-one meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev. "Our relations are very deep and friendly, and we use every opportunity to further improve them, and there is a huge potential for their deepening and strengthening," Ahmadinejad said. Aliev said he and the Iranian leader "discussed a wide range of questions and have become convinced of our solid relations. We share a common standpoint on many issues."