During a press conference at the first summit of governors from the coastal provinces of the Caspian Sea littoral countries in Gilan Province on Tuesday, Araghchi emphasized that the summit aims to expand Iran’s policy of fostering good relations with its neighboring Caspian countries.

He appreciated the participation of governors from Iran’s Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, as well as several governors from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. “The goal is for the provinces along the Caspian Sea to become familiar with each other’s capacities and existing challenges, and to collaborate on resolving these issues.”

The top Iranian diplomat also referred to this initiative as a form of “provincial diplomacy” introduced by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs some time ago.

Araghchi said that the meeting is highly effective in promoting cooperation among the Caspian Sea littoral countries, as well as enhancing communication and consultations. As a result, acceptable outcomes are expected from this summit, he added.

The two-day meeting in Rasht, the capital of Iran’s Gilan Province, held under the theme “Caspian: Bridge for Friendship and Regional Development,” opened on Tuesday with senior Iranian and foreign officials in attendance.

The gathering was convened at Iran’s initiative to strengthen regional cooperation, expand economic interaction, and coordinate efforts aimed at sustainable development and environmental protection in the world’s largest enclosed inland water body.

Delegations from nine foreign regions and five Iranian provinces are participating in the event, which seeks to promote practical collaboration on issues ranging from trade and transit to ecological preservation and tourism development across the Caspian basin.