December 20, The Iran Project - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Baku on Tuesday (Dec.19) afternoon to attend the 5th trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan Republic attended by Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov and Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu.

While in Baku, Zarif also held talks with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, Mammadyarov and Cavusoglu and also attended a press conference attended by his Azeri and Turkish counterparts.

Zarif and Aliyev discussed ways to expand and deepen bilateral relations between Iran and the Azerbaijan Republic, and also exchanged views on regional issues.

Meanwhile, Zarif and Mammadyarov, held talks on a range of issues, including ways to deepen bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.

The two sides exchanged views about the development of cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan in diverse economic fields, including the railroad and energy sectors and discussed a recent decision made by US President Donald Trump to declare al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of the Israeli regime.

Zarif and his Turkish counterpart discussed developing all-out bilateral ties and the ways for developing bilateral banking relations.

Zarif and Cavusoglu also shared views on regional issues.

Finally, Zarif and his Turkish and Azeri counterparts held a trilateral meeting in Baku as part of efforts to boost cooperation between the Islamic Republic and its two neighbors in diverse fields.

The top diplomats discussed a broad range of issues in various economic fields including transit, transportation, energy, and customs.

They also reviewed decisions taken by the countries in their previous trilateral meetings.

At the end of the meeting foreign ministers of Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey issued the final statement, stressing upholding of their common interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Turkish and Azeri counterparts, Zarif said Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey enjoy strong historical, geographical and cultural bonds.

He added that holding trilateral meetings between the three countries is a �very suitable and efficient method� for promoting regional cooperation.

Iran�s top diplomat also pointed to a statement issued during today�s trilateral meeting and said the statement covers various topics, including opposition to Washington�s recent decision to recognize al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of the Israeli regime.