Iran Welcomes Initiative for 6-Party Regional Cooperation

In a meeting with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Monday, Zarif welcomed the six-party regional cooperation initiative proposed by Baku, expressing Tehran’s readiness for help and cooperation in any field contributing to regional peace, stability and calm.

The six-party initiative, put forward recently by the presidents of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan, would include Iran, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan Republic, Georgia and Armenia.

The top Iranian diplomat, who is in Baku on the first leg of a tour of the Caucasus and Turkey, also congratulated the Republic of Azerbaijan’s people and government on the recent victories, stressing the need for the promotion of cooperation between Tehran and Baku.

Zarif pointed to the successful visits by Azerbaijan’s minister of foreign affairs and deputy prime minister to Iran, saying the mutual cooperation, particularly in the economic fields, is ready to make a leap.

The senior diplomat also expressed delight with the results of the 14th meeting of Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, voicing Iran’s readiness for participation in the reconstruction of the recently-liberated Azeri lands, particularly in the construction activities, for the export of technical and engineering services, and cooperation in the electricity and energy industries, agriculture, extra-territorial cultivation, mine-sweeping, as well as the reconstruction of mosques and historical sites.

Aliyev, for his part, praised Iran’s stances on the recent developments in the region, hailed the level of cooperation between the two nations, and said there exists a positive atmosphere for the expansion of relations in all fields, specifically the economic cooperation.

Enumerating the economic projects carried out jointly by the two countries, the Azeri leader welcomed the participation of Iranian companies in reconstruction of areas in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Aliyev also expressed satisfaction with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s view on the six-party regional cooperation platform, saying the initiative would benefit peace and common interests in the region.

The Azeri President also welcomed plans for holding trilateral meetings among Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, as well as among Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey in future.  

Zarif is going to visits Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Turkey after the trip to Baku.