Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has exchanged views with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on the latest developments regarding relations between the two countries and the situation in the region.
In a meeting with Zourabichvili in Tbilisi on Thursday, Zarif expressed hope for the expansion of bilateral cooperation in various fields of mutual interest, especially in trade and economic sectors.
Zarif also called on the Georgian government to help resolve the problems caused for the Iranians residing in Georgia as well as truck drivers.
In Tblisi, met with President @Zourabichvili_S and PM @GakhariaGiorgi and held phone talk with self-quarantined FM @DZalkaliani.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 28, 2021
Excellent discussions on expanding perennial bilateral ties & regional cooperation—especially a transit corridor connecting Black Sea to Persian Gulf. pic.twitter.com/hFTa9vDDeE
He further explained the Islamic Republic's position on using the recent post-conflict situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region as an opportunity to expand regional cooperation based on the interests of all parties.
The top Iranian diplomat also invited the Georgian president to pay a visit to Tehran.
Zarif is in Georgia on the fourth leg of his five-nation tour, which has already taken him to Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia with Turkey as his next stop.
Zourabichvili, for her part, referred to the Iran-Georgia historical ties and the issues related to the transportation routes between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea.
She further emphasized the importance of economic relations between the two countries and joint investments, as well as cooperation to counter the coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally on Thursday, the Iranian foreign minister discussed regional issues with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia.
Zarif also held a telephone conversation with his Georgian counterpart, David Zalkaliani, who is in self-isolation after he tested positive for COVID-19.