Iran Press/ Iran news: Introduced by Russia, “3+3” format—the three South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia plus their three big neighbors, namely Russia, Turkey, and Iran—to focus on unlocking economic and transport communications in the South Caucasus region.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan arrived in Tehran on Monday morning to boost ties with Tehran in economic, energy, and transit within the South Caucasus region farmwork.
Hussein Amir-Abdollahian said it was the time of a new order based on peace maintenance in the Caucasus, where any grounds leading to war have been removed through the language of cooperation between the nations.
Amir-Abdollahian said: "The negotiations between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan must take place in a balanced environment mingled with the two sides' satisfaction while bringing palpable results for them."
Recalling that some regional foreign actors are seeking to abuse the status quo, he said that Iran would support the 3+3 mechanism between the region's countries, where Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan would take part.
The first session of regional cooperation within the framework of the 3+3 group consisting of three southern Caucasus countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia) and three neighboring countries, including Russia, Turkey, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, was held in December 2021 at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Moscow.
Elsewhere in his talks, Amir-Abdollahian highlighted the importance of the historical corridor between Iran and Armenia, which has to do with the Republic of Azerbaijan.
He said that Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has ensured that the country is not blocking the existing routes between Armenia and Iran; the Iranian FM added that Tehran does not seek to close the route between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
As with the trade cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan, Amir-Abdollahian said that reasonable steps have so far been taken, noting that the Iranian side believes there is yet to shore up trade volume between the two countries up to $3 billion.
The Iranian FM told the reporters that his counterpart's visit to Tehran was aimed at pursuing the implementation of the agreements signed during the last meeting between the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the Armenian Prime Minister Nicol Pashiniyan.
Agriculture, transportation, energy, industry, science and technology, and knowledge-based activities are among the fields of cooperation between Iran and Armenia.
In this press conference, the Armenian Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzorian, said: "Historical relations with Iran are of particular importance for Armenia. Iran has been and will remain a unique friend to us.
"Bilateral relations based on mutual respect promise a new horizon in the cooperation between the two countries.
We emphasized the volume of trade exchanges to three billion dollars," he added.
Mirzorian emphasized: "Among other issues today was the need to establish stability in the South Caucasus region. We have said many times that it is essential for us to normalize the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the agreement. But unfortunately, instead of dialogue, Azerbaijan has pursued the policy of ethnic killing. Today, we are witnessing something that we warned about seven months ago.
The Armenian Foreign Minister added: "Road infrastructure is of particular importance for us. I would like to reiterate Armenian leaders' political determination and readiness to develop relations with Iran based on the principle of common interests.
Iran, a unique friend of Armenia
The Armenia FM called Iran a unique friend of Armenia with rich historical relations and particular importance.
Ararat Mirzoyan said: "Rich and historical relations with Iran are of special importance for Armenia."
Iran has been and will remain a unique friend to us. "He further stated"
"Bilateral relations based on mutual respect would promise a new horizon in the cooperation between the two countries," stated Armenian FM.
"We emphasized the volume of trade exchanges to three billion dollars," Added Mirzoyan.
Among other issues raised today was the need to establish stability in the South Caucasus region", added Armenian FM.
"The coordination that we have said many times is important for us within the framework of the agreement on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But unfortunately, instead of dialogue, Azerbaijan has pursued the policy of ethnic cleansing. Today, we are witnessing something we warned about seven months ago," he stated
"I would like to reiterate the political determination and readiness of Armenian leaders to develop relations with Iran based on the principle of common interests," concluded he.
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Iranian FM officially receives his Armenian counterpart
