Iran, Azerbaijan Discuss Expansion of Cultural Ties

Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyed Mohammad Hosseini and Azeri Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev explored ways to bolster the two countries' cultural ties.

During the meeting held in Tehran on Sunday, Hosseini underlined the need to further deepen cultural ties with Baku.

The Iranian minister recalled his visit to Azerbaijan and said that the agreements he signed with the Azeri officials contributed significantly to the further development of cultural relations.

Hosseini further stated that exchange of visits of the two countries senior officials indicated their resolve to broaden ties.

"Given the cultural and religious commonalities between the two neighboring states, ties between Tehran and Baku will further develop," the minister added.

Holding Azerbaijan Cultural Week in Iran is a significant step to develop ties, he said, adding that given numerous capacities of the two countries, the meetings will help promote friendship between them.

The two countries cultural officials are ready to support joint activities by the artists, he said.

Garayev, for his part, expressed pleasure with holding Azerbaijan Cultural Week in Tehran after a lapse of 20 years since his country gained independence.

The event will also be held in Shiraz, Isfahan, Ardebil and the other Iranian cities, he said, noting that Iran's cultural weeks, seminars and exhibitions will also be held in the Azeri cities.

Referring to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's imminent visit to his country, he said the president's visit will help promote bilateral relations.