TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has returned to the Iranian capital after his visit to Switzerland, Davos, where he attended the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting.

On the sidelines of the forum, the top Iranian diplomat met with several high-ranking officials from around the world, to discuss various regional and international issues. 

During a meeting with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Amir Abdollahian stated that Tehran is an advocate of peace in the Caucasus region. 

Referring to his recent trip to Yerevan and his meetings and discussions with the Armenian foreign minister and the secretary of the country’s National Security Council, the Iranian foreign minister said, “Armenia has a significant place in Iran’s neighborhood policy.”

Amir Abdollahian pointed out that the ties between the two countries are strong, saying the bilateral ties are advancing. He said boosting the ties would serve the interests of both nations.

The Iranian foreign minister highlighted the importance of preserving the security and stability in the Caucasus region and said Iran has always supported the peace talks between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia. 

“We believe that we should achieve stability in the region through regional solutions,” he said.

The foreign minister reiterated that preserving the historical transportation routes is crucial in the developments in the Caucasus while emphasizing the need to prevent any geopolitical changes in the region.

Citing the Iranian Leader’s view on Armenia as a ‘good neighbor of Iran,’ Amirabdollahian said that Iran has no restrictions for promoting its ties with Armenia.

Meanwhile, the Armenian president praised the cordial and constructive relations between the two countries. He also referred to the historical bonds between the two nations and their positive effects and role in expanding the neighborly ties and bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan.

He also called on both countries to transfer the friendship to future generations.

Khachaturyan called for increased cooperation between the private sectors and the companies in Iran and Armenia and underlined the significance of boosting transportation and transit cooperation between the two countries.

He hailed Iran’s support for the peace process, stability, and calm in the Caucasus.

Iran, Georgia willing to boost bilateral ties amid regional challenges

Amir Abdollahian held an extensive meeting with his Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili.

Expressing his satisfaction with the meeting, the Iranian foreign minister hailed the old and strong relations between the officials and people of both countries.

Amir Abdollahian said the promotion of ties with Georgia is one of Iran’s priorities and further stated that Tehran cares about the security in the Caucasus and Georgia.

He sounded upbeat that the relations between the two countries would be developed without any restrictions.

The Iranian foreign minister underlined the necessity to rely on regional solutions for the problems in the region, explaining that the security issues of the region are tied and related to each other.

He stated Iran, by understanding the conditions on the ground in the region, seeks to focus on common interests in its cooperation with Georgia.

The senior Iranian diplomat tipped Georgia as one of the favorite tourist spots in the region for Iranians and stressed the need to use the popular connections as a facilitator to elevate bilateral commercial ties as well as cooperation between the private sectors of both countries.

The foreign minister also highlighted the importance of cooperation in the transit and energy sectors among others.

Meanwhile, Amir Abdollahian once again extended an invitation to his Georgian counterpart to visit Iran. He suggested that joint mechanisms, including a joint political committee, be activated to step up consular cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, the Georgian foreign minister hailed the promotion of ties between the two countries as positive and welcomed further progress in this process.

Darchiashvili said he was pleased with the consultations with his Iranian counterpart. He said promoting and consolidating stability in the region, amid the regional challenges, is one of Georgia’s priorities.

Citing the large number of Iranian tourists visiting Georgia, he welcomed bolstering ties between the people in both countries.

Stating that Iran is a strong country in the region with deep roots, he expressed his country’s willingness to step up bilateral ties with Tehran in various areas.

The two ministers also stressed the need to continue their contacts and discuss various issues of mutual interest.

Meeting with Saudi FM 

Another person the Iranian diplomat convened with was Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan.

In the meeting, Amir Abdollahian and bin Farhan exchanged views over bilateral issues such as economic and trade cooperation.

The two top diplomats also discussed other issues of mutual interest such as Palestine’s developments and the latest state of the war in Gaza.

Amir Abdollahian also sat down with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, with whom he exchanged views over different bilateral and regional issues, and Head of World Economic Forum Børge Brende.

Amir Abdollahian thanked Brende for the invitation to participate in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He then cited some initiatives and areas in which the two sides could cooperate in such fields as economy and energy security.

The Iranian foreign minister outlined the developments in Gaza and the crimes of the Zionist regime with U.S. support, stressing Iran's support for efforts to prevent the expansion of the war and for the restoration of stability and peace in the region.

Amir Abdollahian also referred to Iran's efforts to dispel some concerns in the region and the world, including Iran's efforts to put in place mechanisms to ensure energy security.

He invited the World Economic Forum to participate in such efforts.

Brende for his part thanked the Iranian foreign minister for attending the Davos forum and stressed that all efforts should be aimed at preventing the spillover of the Gaza crisis.

He underlined the importance of Iran as an important actor in regional and global arrangements, saying he and his colleagues are ready to explore ways of cooperating with Iran regarding energy security.