TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday that the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region should be resolved “peacefully”.

Zarif who had visited Baku for a trilateral foreign ministerial summit between Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia expressed content over the ceasefire announced between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Exchange of fire between Azerbaijan and Armenia broke out on April 2. Dozens of servicemen from both sides have been killed and some more injured.

On April 5, the two countries agreed to enact an immediate ceasefire.

Nagorno-Karabakh has been under the control of Armenian military and separatists since a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan ended in 1994. Years of negotiations have brought little progress in resolving the dispute.

Fighting on Saturday marked the worst clashes since 1994.

Zarif also highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation between Iran, Russia, and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the areas of culture, economy, fight against terrorism, transportation and inter-religion dialogue.

Putin has ordered removal of banking sanctions on Iran: Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Zarif also held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conference, discussing bilateral relations and the latest developments in Syria.

During the meeting Lavrov said that President Vladimir Putin has ordered removal of banking sanctions on Iran.

Aliyev hails Tehran-Baku ties as excellent

The Iranian foreign minister also held a meeting with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday.

Zarif and Aliyev expressed hope that the trilateral conference would open a new chapter in the relations.

He also underlined Iran’s firm policy of developing ties with the Republic of Azerbaijan and other neighbors and called for expansion of cooperation between Tehran and Baku in different fields, Tasnim reported.

For his part, Aliyev hailed Tehran-Baku ties as excellent, saying the good relations are based on numerous affinities and the resolve of the two countries’ leaders.

He also described the Iran-Russia-Azerbaijan trilateral meeting as important.

NA/PA