Iran: Regional co-op, key to Caucasus' security

Tehran, Jan 18, IRNA -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili on Monday called on the countries in the Caucasus to develop regional cooperation for security.

Jalili made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze in Tehran.

Sustainable security prepares grounds for amicable ties between nations and the common interests demand these countries spare no efforts to bolster security cooperation.

Jalili said that the governments in the region should shoulder responsibility to restore security of the region and powerfully rule out interference of foreign forces.

"Iran has adopted a rational and balanced approach to help resolve regional conflicts and crisis in the Middle East, the Caucasus and the Persian Gulf region."

The Georgian foreign minister said for his part that his country has put expansion of ties with Iran on its agenda and thanked Iran’s principled, logical and balanced stand to deal with regional developments.

Georgia is ready to bolster all-out cooperation with Iran in various fields as commerce, transport and energy, he said.