Iran and Azerbaijan signed a border agreement in Baku on Wednesday, IRNA reported.

The signatories were Iranian Border commander Colonel Behnam Shariatifar and his Azeri counterpart Alchin Qoliev.

The agreement stipulates for the two countries to cooperation between Tehran and Baku on anti-smuggling campaign and illegal crossing of borders.

The agreement further highlights the need for increased activity of border markets and its positive effect on expansion of overall bilateral relations.

It calls for practical steps for facilitating the movements of border populations. The two sides also agreed to hold a joint border commission and to review border affairs every year.

Azerbaijan president stressed here Tuesday on the need for Tehran-Baku to boost border cooperation.

Elham Aliyev, in a meeting with Shariatifar, said the cooperation between border personnel is immensely important in strengthening the two nation's relations.

He referred to the 700 km border between two nations saying that in order to better preserve border security, closer cooperation between the border guards is needed.

Shariatifar said that bilateral relations should be strengthened and visits by two countries official increased.

He said that Iran has 15 common border points with its neighbors and although Iranian border guards have their hands tied with problems at western and eastern borders, 'they welcome increased cooperation with their Azeri counterparts'.