Iran’s FM Zarif Visits Nakhchivan after 5-Nation Tour

The top Iranian diplomat held a meeting with Vasif Talibov, chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan.

Expressing content with his regional trips, Zarif said he was happy to see the territories occupied during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been liberated, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website.

“Although some people lost their lives in this conflict, the liberation of the occupied territories has made the Islamic Republic of Iran happy,” he noted, adding, “Moreover, it is necessary to seize the opportunity that has been created for regional cooperation and prevent the outbreak of any such conflicts in the future.”

Zarif elaborated on his regional tour and the negotiations he had as well as the viewpoints of officials of the countries he visited, saying all those countries generally welcomed regional cooperation which, he stressed, is particularly important when it comes to transportation in the region and transit routes.

Nakhchivan plays a key role in that regard, Zarif stressed, calling for closer parliamentary cooperation between the two sides.

Talibov, in turn, presented a report on the status of Nakhchivan’s cooperation with Iran in the areas of trade, electricity and culture, adding that Nakhchivan stands ready for cooperation in the domains of railway, transportation, roads, and customs as well as offering facilities to received transit goods in a bid to further cement regional cooperation.

Environmental issues of the Aras River, taking care of Iranian expatriates’ affairs, and a seat for the Persian Language at Nakhchivan’s state university were among other issues discussed by the two top officials.

In the meeting, the Iranian foreign minister also expressed his gratitude to Talibov for translating Zarif’s book titled “Multilateral Diplomacy” into the Azeri language and teaching it at Nakhchivan’s state university.