Hawzah News Agency (Tehran, Iran) - On Sunday afternoon, March 5, 2017, the Azerbaijani President, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, met with Ayatollah Khamenei.

During the meeting, the Leader of the Revolution described the religion shared between two nations as the most important factor in creating a sense of relation and friendliness between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Azerbaijani people and officials. He added, "The level of economic cooperation between the two countries are very low, in comparison to the potentials and capacities the two nations have, and the trade volume should be 10 times greater than that of the current level."

Ayatollah Khamenei assessed the Azerbaijani government’s stance in regards to the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly on the issue of the nuclear talks, as very good; further asserting, "The Azerbaijani government has always stood with Iran at political assemblies and in congressional meetings; hence, such positive stances bring the two countries closer to one another, more than ever."

His Eminence pointed out to the enemies’ anger over Iran-Azerbaijan close ties and said, "The vicious Zionist regime makes the most effort, among other enemies, to weaken the brotherly ties between Iran and Azerbaijan; and to counter this, the existing friendly relations should be nurtured."

Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Azerbaijani people and their religious inclinations and held, "It is to the benefit and expediency of the Azerbaijani government to empathize with national religious sentiments, so that they may have no concerns from the government over religious issues."

Ayatollah Khamenei termed drawing and relying on the people’s emotions as the most important factor in creating immunity against corrupt powers, by stating "If the Azerbaijani government absorbs the people’s support, no force can harm you. We will also pray for the success of the Azerbaijani government and nation."