Top diplomats of Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia have met in the Azeri capital, Baku, in the first ever such quadripartite talks aimed at promoting regional peace and cooperation among the four nations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Baku on Thursday and attended the meeting later in the day with his Turkish, Azeri and Georgian counterparts, namely Mevlut Cavusoglu, Elmar Mammadyarov and Mikheil Janelidze.

The talks focused on a range of issues, including regional developments, fight against drug trafficking and the enhancement of economic relations among the participating states.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (c) attends a quadripartite meeting with his Turkish, Azeri and Georgian counterparts Mevlut Cavusoglu, Elmar Mammadyarov, Mikheil Janelidze in Baku on March 15, 2018.

They also exchanged views on ways to bolster their cooperation in different areas, namely energy, transportation, tourism and culture.

At the meeting, Zarif emphasized that such talks can significantly contribute to the region’s security situation and economic growth.

Prior to the talks, Zarif sat down for separate bilateral meetings with the three foreign ministers, and with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev.