Iran, Azerbaijan to consolidate agricultural ties

 Iranian Trade Minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh and Azeri Minister of Agriculture Heidar Assadov, in a meeting on Saturday, voiced their countries' willingness to widen and deepen Tehran-Baku agricultural cooperation.
Nematzadeh, in a meeting with the Azeri Minister in Baku, said that there exist abundant capacities in both countries which must be utilized properly to elevate bilateral relations in agricultural domains.
The Iranian minister said the two sides have agreed to sign a memorandum on understanding (MoU) in this sphere, adding that the document is ready and will be signed by the agriculture ministers of the two countries soon.
Nematzadeh said that exports of fruits, vegetables and food products to Russia and cooperation between Azerbaijani and Iranian companies in this sphere were among the issues discussed during his visit to Baku.
Earlier this month, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev in a joint statement underscored the necessity for activating the two countries' Joint Economic Commission.
In a joint statement issued at the end of President Rouhani's visit to Baku at the time, the two countries called for the expansion of all-out cooperation, and underlined the need for activation of joint economic commission to help further boost economic and trade cooperation.
Based on the statement, Presidents Rouhani and Aliyev discussed avenues to bolster bilateral ties as well as the ongoing developments in the region and around the world.
The two sides called for further cooperation aimed at establishing sustainable stability and security in the region, it added.
According to the statement, further expansion of mutual relations in political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian arenas were stressed by the two.