SAEDNEWS: Iran considers its Caspian neighbors a top priority for cooperation and regional development, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Caspian Sea.
According to Saed News Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke on Tuesday at a summit in Rasht themed “Caspian: Bridge for Friendship and Regional Development,” which brought together governors from 12 provinces across five Caspian Sea littoral countries.
In his remarks, the top Iranian diplomat emphasized that the Caspian Sea littoral states are a priority for Iran in terms of cooperation and regional engagement.
“Our neighbors are our priority, and this is the most fundamental principle in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We have plans and are making efforts to expand relations with our neighbors and to take advantage of significant political, economic, social, cultural, and even security opportunities with them,” he said.
Araghchi highlighted that just as the Persian Gulf is crucial for Iran, the Caspian Sea holds equal importance. “The Islamic Republic of Iran shares borders with 15 countries, by sea and land. Just as the Persian Gulf and its surrounding region are important to us, the Caspian Sea holds equal significance. We engage with very significant neighbors in this region and face many important issues,” he added.
He underlined that Iran’s relations with the Caspian littoral countries are strategic and highly goal-oriented, reflecting Tehran’s commitment to regional stability and collaborative development.
Araghchi also noted that relations with all Caspian littoral states have been positive and strategic. “Iran-Russia relations are a strategic partnership, and a 20-year strategic cooperation agreement between the two presidents was signed last year. Dr. Pezeshkian has made very successful visits to Russia and Azerbaijan, and within the next month, he will also visit Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan,” he said.
Highlighting the region’s significance in energy and transport corridors, he stressed that there are strong opportunities for collaboration in trade and tourism. Iran’s three coastal provinces, along with holy cities like Mashhad, are major tourist destinations, and Araghchi expressed hope that the Caspian region would similarly become a key hub for regional tourism.
“The Caspian Sea is a treasure trove of various resources,” he concluded.
The Caspian Governors’ Summit opened Tuesday morning in Rasht, the capital of Gilan Province, with participation from 12 provinces across five regional countries. Initiated by Iran, the summit features five Iranian governors and seven governors from Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan. The event includes a general panel and three specialized panels on economy and investment, transit and logistics, and environment and fisheries, moderated by senior national and provincial officials.
During the summit, governors and delegations aim to strengthen economic, environmental, cultural, and tourism cooperation. Discussions focus on joint projects, enhancing transit and the North-South corridor, activating port capacities, and establishing interprovincial trade arrangements.
The summit also provides a platform to boost Caspian tourism, coordinate regional policies, showcase the agricultural, industrial, and investment capacities of coastal provinces, and facilitate joint trade exhibitions.
The Caspian Sea region is strategically important for trade, energy, and environmental resources. Cooperation among coastal provinces can drive regional development, boost cross-border trade, protect the environment, and promote tourism. Summits like this provide an official platform for dialogue, highlight investment opportunities, and align regional policies to foster economic and cultural collaboration.
