MNA � Iranian minister Mahmoud Vaezi said Tehran and Baku trade volume has increased by 70%. Iranian ICT Minister Mahmoud Vaezi who serves as the head of Iran-Azerbaijan joint economic commission, made the remarks in a conference on Tehran- Baku trade ties in northwestern city of Ardebil, which was attended by Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev.

Noting the matchless cultural and historical similarities, Vaezi underlined that Iran and Azerbaijan should benefit from the opportunity for further expansion of ties.

�Iran and Azerbaijan has made great steps to develop ties in recent years; forming the joint economic commission and several visits by officials including seven visits between President Rouhani and President Aliyev, indicates the efforts made to further the strategic ties,� he said.

Iranian official continued �Iranian and Azerbaijani tradesmen are eager for bilateral investment; Tehran and Baku have decided to develop ties in a direction other that oil and both countries are moving toward the objective.�

Vaezi underlined that Iran prioritizes investing in neighboring and Muslim countries and is ready for all-out expansion of ties particularly in border cities with Azerbaijan.