In a meeting with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei pointed to the deep ties between the two countries and the need to increase cooperation, reiterating, “Close and brotherly connections between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan have opponents, and their temptations and acts of sabotage must be resisted, and relations and cooperation in various sectors must be expanded through redoubled resolve and motivation.”    
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the important fact that just like Iran and Iraq, the majority of the population of the Republic of Azerbaijan are followers of the school of Ahl al-Bayt (the household of the prophet Muhammad), adding, “This useful opportunity and glorious mourning Shia ceremonies in Azerbaijan must be appreciated because they cases will boost the identity of your nation and country.”   
He said the strong faith of people was the reason for the failure of the plentiful efforts by the former Soviet Union to promote Marxism and consigning religion to oblivion in Azerbaijan and added, “This year’s magnificent ceremonies in the [Lunar] month of Muharram is an example of the solid faith of the Azeri nation.”      
In this meeting, which was also attended by Es’haq Jahangiri, Iran’s first vice-president, Ilham Aliyev said he feels at home in Iran and pointed to the growing cooperation between the two countries in recent years, adding, “We are extremely firm in our relationship with Iran and will not allow any meddling or disruption in relations between the two countries.”
The Azeri president cited some instances of cooperation between the two countries in cultural, economic, investment, energy and transportation sectors and pointed to the endeavors of his government in building mosques in Azerbaijan, saying, “We are consolidating our economic and cultural ties with Iran and we are seriously determined to make these relations stable and permanent.”