MNA� Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev asserted that Iran-Azerbaijan ties is beneficiary for all countries, describing it as a 'gift' to the region.


Ilham Aliyev, who arrived in Tehran on Sunday and attended a joint presser with President Rouhani.

"I visited Iran more than three times last year and met with Dr. Rouhani eight times which indicates how close and expanded are the ties between the two countries," Aliyev noted.

He added that the relations are based on history, culture and common faith, noting that Tehran and Baku support each other in all international organizations due to the deep political ties; he also thanked Iran for its efforts in solving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"Tehran and Baku trade volume has increased by 70% indicating that bilateral agreements have come to fruition," he added.

As Mr. Rouhani said, Azerbaijan Republic will invest on Rasht-Astara railway as much as its share, Azeri president said; "I said one�year ago in the same hall that Azerbaijan will advance the railway in its land and today this fact has come true with the launch of Astara-Astara railway line where today the train passed through the border of Iran and Azerbaijan."

Touching upon the activities of the Tehran-Baku Joint Economic Commission, Aliyev said the forum is very active implementing�the decrees of both presidents.

He also pointed to the hosting of the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku sying�the event will be a means for the unity of the Islamic world and hped for participation and succes of�Iranian athletes.