Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA says the participating foreign ministers in the 3+3 Regional Platform in Tehran in a statement have underlined respect for the territorial integrity of the Caucasus countries.
The meeting themed “time for peace, cooperation, and progress in the South Caucasus” was focused on the developments going on in the Caucasus region, as well as peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Armenia attended the meeting that took place in Tehran on October 23.
The main objective of forming this format is reportedly to combine efforts of regional countries to resolve intra-regional challenges and boost mutual cooperation.
"The conflict has, on the whole, been settled. Both sides agree that Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan and that was the main issue to be settled," Russia's TASS news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying in Tehran.
"Of course, practical steps remain for a full normalization of relations, particularly preparations for a peace treaty, the demarcation of borders and the establishment of economic transport links without impediment."
According to Reuters, Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said before the meeting that the talks represented a "historic opportunity…. The war in South Caucasus has ended, and it is time for peace and cooperation."
"The presence of outsiders in the region will not only does not solve any problem but will also complicate the situation further," he added, without elaborating.
Reuters notes that that was an implicit reference to the United States and the European Union, whose involvement in the search for a peace agreement has particularly annoyed Russia.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, quoted by Iranian state-run media, said Tehran "was ready to assist in resolving the existing disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia".
A joint communique adopted at the Second Meeting of the “3+3” Regional Platform, in particular, notes that upon the invitation of Mr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and in presence of Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Mr. Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, the Second Meeting of the “3+3” Regional Platform was held in Tehran on Monday, October 23.
The communique says that the meeting participants discussed the most significant issues in the region and 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.
They reportedly highlighted the positive impact of economic cooperation on strengthening mutual trust, the well-being of nations, and the stability of the region.
In order to enhance lasting peace and economic development of the region, they vowed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral consultation and interaction.
While positively evaluating the results of this meeting, the participants reaffirmed the openness of this Platform for equal participation of Georgia.
The ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Gaza Strip. They emphasized the need for immediate termination of targeting innocent civilians.
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 ministers agreed that the next meeting will be held in the Republic of Turkiye on a date that will be coordinated through diplomatic channels.
The First Meeting of the 3+3 Regional Platform took place in Moscow on December 10, 2021.
The 3+3 regional consultative mechanism was proposed by the presidents of Turkiye and Azerbaijan, comprising Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia plus Iran, Russia and Turkiye.
