Iran’s FM arrives in Baku to discuss regional cooperation, expansion of bilateral relations

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in the capital city of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the first leg of his regional tour of Caucasus, which will take him to Russia and Turkey as well.

Upon his arrival at Baku airport on Sunday, Zarif told reporters that the main goal of his visit is promotion of regional cooperation, “which is of high importance” to the Islamic Republic, and expansion of bilateral relations with countries in this region.

“Iran already enjoys very cordial and close relations with these countries,” Zarif added.

He noted that he will hold talks with Azerbaijan's top officials on Monday about the reconstruction of Karabakh and ways to promote stability in the region.

The top Iranian diplomat expressed satisfaction that Azerbaijan has regained its territories after a recent armed conflict with the neighboring Armenia, saying, "We are interested in helping people of the liberated lands return to their places of residence as soon as possible."

Zarif noted that he will also raise this issue with Azeri authorities.

Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but it has been occupied by ethnic Armenian separatists backed by Armenia since 1992 when they broke from Azerbaijan in a war that killed some 30,000 people.

The latest armed conflict between the two countries erupted on September 27 last year and ended on November 10 through a Russian-brokered truce.

Azerbaijan says lost 2,855 troops in Nagorno-Karabakh war

Azerbaijan says it lost 2,855 troopers during the 44-day war with neighboring Armenia over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

As part of the truce agreement, Armenia returned swathes of territory it had occupied for decades to Azeri control.

The agreement was signed after the Azerbaijani army overwhelmed Armenian forces and threatened to advance on Karabakh’s main city of Khankendi, which Armenians call Stepanakert after a 19th-century Bolshevik militant.

The truce, which was warmly welcomed as a victory in Azerbaijan, has prompted anger in Armenia, with protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif said north-south and north-west international transportation corridors as well as transit of commodities will be among other issues to be discussed with Azeri authorities.

Iran and Azerbaijan on January 18 signed a contract to bolster their economic cooperation as Baku welcomed Iran’s increased investment and technical assistance to rebuild regions around Nagorno-Karabakh.

Iran, Azerbaijan sign key document to expand economic ties

The agreement was signed during a meeting of the Joint Commission on Iran-Azerbaijan Economic Cooperation held in Tehran.

Iran’s Finance Minister Farhad Dejpassand said after signing the contract that it will be focused on how the two neighboring countries would be able to expedite current joint projects while introducing mechanisms that could lead to a finalization of future cooperation plans.

"Persian Gulf needs dialogue, trust building among regional countries"

In response to a question about Iran's ties with the Persian Gulf littoral states and the best way to thwart the existing tensions, Zarif said, "We have always believed that the Persian Gulf region needs dialogue and cooperation and building trust among the Persian Gulf regional countries. Our arms have always been and will be open to neighbors in this regard."

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Saturday that Zarif will travel to Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey at the head of a delegation.

Iran’s Zarif will embark on Caucasus, Turkey tour to discuss regional developments, peace promotion

Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif will embark on a five-nation tour of regional countries to discuss the latest developments and ways to promote peace.

He added that the top Iranian diplomat is scheduled to discuss bilateral issues, the latest developments in the Caucasus, joints projects and ways of promoting peace and stability in the region with his counterparts and other top officials of these countries.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk