The telephone exchange between Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, and Ceyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s foreign minister, confirmed a shared commitment to deepen normalization efforts between Baku and Yerevan. This progress is being pursued within the framework of tripartite agreements and in close alignment with the broader regional strategy for the South Caucasus. The dialogue emphasized that steady, practical steps should continue to move the region toward tangible stabilisation and cooperative governance, with the understanding that sustained engagement among Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other regional partners remains essential.
A communication from the ministers highlighted the notable results achieved at the Tehran-hosted regional consultation platform known as the 3plus3 framework. The meeting, attended at the foreign minister level on October 23, benefited from active participation by both sides and their regional partners, as well as representatives from Iran, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The participants expressed appreciation for what was accomplished during the Tehran gathering and reiterated their support for the 3plus3 format as a vehicle for ongoing dialogue, confidence-building, and practical confidence measures across the South Caucasus. The message underscored that the positive momentum from Tehran should be translated into continued work to advance the format and implement agreed actions on the ground.
In discussions that followed, the parties reaffirmed their intention to keep the 3plus3 platform dynamic. They agreed to schedule further ministerial engagement to sustain momentum, with plans to convene a forthcoming foreign ministers meeting within the 3plus3 structure in Turkey during 2024. This prospective session is expected to review progress, assess practical steps, and identify new areas where regional cooperation can yield concrete benefits for citizens and communities affected by long-standing tensions.
The Tehran meeting, which marked a significant moment for the regional consultative process, included the participation of Hossein Amir Abdollahian of Iran, Hakan Fidan of Turkey, Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia, and Jeyhun Bayramov of Azerbaijan. The gathering gave a clear signal that the foreign ministries of the involved states are committed to a constructive, results-oriented dialogue in a format designed to address regional security, economic cooperation, and people-centered reconciliation. Reports from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that intense diplomatic efforts are continuing to ease the broader Middle East crisis, with Moscow positioning itself as a facilitator of dialogue and stability in adjacent regions that share overlapping security concerns and humanitarian needs.