Tehran:Iran and Azerbaijan are working on drafting an official agreement to enhance their cooperation in managing natural disasters, as announced by Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Momeni discussed this initiative during a meeting with Colonel General Kamaladdin Heydarov, the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He highlighted the region's vulnerability to natural incidents and crises and revealed that a formal agreement on joint disaster response between the two nations is being prepared.

Momeni noted the historical relations and shared interests between Iran and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that Azerbaijan holds a priority position in Iran's foreign policy. He stressed the importance of strengthening ties, particularly in light of common challenges such as floods and earthquakes.

The minister also highlighted the extensive land border exceeding 700 kilometers between the two countries, which necessitates increased bilateral interactions. He expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's support during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as its assistance during natural disasters like the earthquake and fire in Khoy, and the readiness to help with the fire in the Hyrcanian forests.

Momeni proposed conducting joint exercises, especially in the Caspian region, and invited the Azerbaijani minister to visit Tehran to further expand the cooperation between their respective ministries.

On his part, Heydarov emphasized the need to enhance scientific collaborations and address legal matters of mutual interest. He underscored the value of sharing information and experiences to improve emergency response capabilities between the two countries.