Chief-of-Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri and Azeri Defense Minister Lieutenant General Zakir Hasanov signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster defense cooperation between the two countries.

The MoU was inked in the Azeri capital, Baku, following a meeting between General Baqeri and General Hasanov, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.

Baqeri told reporters after signing the agreement that both sides explored ways to bolster bilateral defense ties during the meeting.

He said Iran reiterated its support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and underlined the need for expanding cooperation in the fields of logistics and training as well as an exchange of military experiences.

Hasanov, for his part, welcomed Baqeri’s visit, saying the two sides discussed “highly important” issues.

The Azeri minister expressed confidence that the visit would further enhance “mutual military cooperation to the highest level”.

He further said Baqeri’s visit provided the opportunity to review the activities of Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Defense Commission, saying necessary recommendation has been made to enhance its performance.

The joint commission held its first meeting in Baku in October 2017, with a high-ranking delegation from Iran’s Defense Ministry in attendance.

Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Baqeri traveled to Azerbaijan on Wednesday for a two-day visit at the invitation of the Azeri defense chief.

He also held talks with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev as well as Chairman of National Assembly Ogtay Asadov.

General Baqeri held meetings with other Azeri officials, including Prime Minister Novruz Mamedov on Thursday.