Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Azeri and Turkish counterparts met on Wednesday for a closed-door meeting to explore ways of broadening economic cooperation and promoting regional peace.
The trilateral meeting, held in the Azeri capital Baku with Azerbaijan's Elmar Mammadyarov and Turkey's Mevlut Cavusoglu, was the fifth such gathering, IRNA reported.
Speaking in a joint press conference after the meeting, Zarif described the trilateral mechanism for cooperation as an "effective method" for preparing the ground for regional cooperation.
The top Iranian diplomat said he was satisfied with the decisions made in the meeting, including the agreement to invite private sectors of the three countries to attend the next gathering.
"We will be pleased to see private firms engaging in collaboration … so we can exploit capacities for trilateral cooperation," he said.
The three ministers adopted a statement following the meeting, underlining their commitment to expand cooperation particularly in the areas that would contribute to economic progress and sustainable development.
"[The three countries] agreed to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, to use the existing potential for promotion of investments and trade, as well as to support promotion of cooperation by implementing joint projects and programs in the fields of energy, transport, banking, telecommunications, industry, agriculture, tourism and environment," the statement reads.
Zarif and his counterparts also stressed the need to develop and enhance relations among the banking networks of the three sides.
The trio emphasized their willingness to strengthen peace and stability in the region, highlighting the need for continuing close consultations on issues of common interest.
"[The three ministers] underlined the importance to further strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, separatism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations," the statement reads.
The three countries also underscored the significance of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers, as a symbol of the success of multilateral negotiations and diplomacy, acknowledging that the successful implementation of JCPOA requires the complete fulfillment of the stipulated obligations by all the parties so they can fully enjoy benefits provided in the accord.
On the sidelines of the summit, Zarif held bilateral meetings with his Azeri and Turkish counterparts.
On Tuesday night, Zarif sat down with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues.
The three countries agreed to hold the next meeting in Turkey.
