Iranian deputy FM visits Azerbaijan on bilateral ties

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday arrived in Baku for talks with Azerbaijani officials on bilateral ties. Upon arrival, Araghchi told journalists that "relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are built on mutual respect and the good neighborhood policy," local Trend News Agency reported. "Over the past two decades, these relationships have evolved, and we are interested in keeping them on a good level. Ups and downs are common in relations between neighboring countries," said the diplomat. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev told local media that Araghchi will meet Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku and the talks will probably include the issue of two Azerbaijani poets who were detained in Iran on charges of espionage. Araghchi said that the Azerbaijani poets were arrested for " illegal activities." "We are waiting for a court decision. Each trial must be conducted in accordance with the law," said the Iranian official. The poets were arrested in May after they entered Iran to take part in cultural activities. Tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan have escalated recently over issues including Azerbaijan's accusation that Iran plotted terrorist attacks in Baku.