Tehran, 24 October 2023 (TDI): The Second Format Meeting of the 3+3 Regional Platform on South Caucasus kicked off on October 23, in Tehran to discuss the developments taking place in the South Caucasus.
The meeting was centered on the subject of ‘Peace, cooperation, and progress in the South Caucasus’, aiming at ending challenges and establishing peace in the South Caucasus through neighbors and intra-regional actors.
The meeting was attended by the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, and the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Hakan Fidan.
While, the Georgian delegation did not attend the meeting.
The Second Format Meeting of the 3+3 Regional Platform on South Caucasus aimed to examine the issues of the South Caucasus region and the ways to develop regional cooperation in political, economic, security, transit, and energy sectors.
During the meeting, the attendees emphasized the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognized borders, non-interference in internal affairs, and prohibition of the threat or use of force.
In addition to that, it was stressed to respect human rights based on all the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Furthermore, during the meeting, the Foreign Ministers exchanged views on various international issues, and discussed the most significant issues in the region.
In this regard, they emphasized the importance of platforms like the Consultative Regional Platform “3+3” in providing opportunities for constructive dialogue and establishing mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries of the region that have the primary role in this regard.
Also, at the meeting the Foreign Ministers talked about the positive impact of the economic cooperation on strengthening mutual trust, the well-being of nations, and the stability of the region.
Also read: Russia, Iran pledge to deepen strategic ties
While emphasizing the importance of cultural cooperation, the Foreign Ministers exchanged views on enhancing people-to-people contacts and joint projects in the fields of education, science, tourism, culture, and sports.
To enhance lasting peace and economic development of the region, the initiative of strengthening bilateral and multilateral consultation and interaction between the countries was also reaffirmed.
The ongoing processes of normalization and development of relations between all the countries of the region were also welcomed by the attendees of the meeting.
After positively evaluating the results of this meeting, the Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the openness of this Platform for equal participation of Georgia as well.
The Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Gaza and emphasized the need for immediate termination of targeting innocent civilians.
Also read: Turkish Foreign Minister calls on Iranian counterpart
The Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and the Russian Federation paid their thanks to the Foreign Minister of Iran for the hospitable reception and successful holding of this meeting.
With an assessment of the regular meetings of the “3+3” Regional Platform in expanding and strengthening the environment of trust and cooperation in the region, the Foreign Ministers agreed for the next meeting to be held in Türkiye on a date that will be coordinated through diplomatic channels.
