TEHRAN, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday welcomed a recent peace agreement between its northern neighbors, Azerbaijan and Armenia, while expressing concern about foreign interference near common borders.
In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry responded to the peace agreement signed by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House in Washington on Friday, which marks the end of a decades-long border conflict.
It stated that Iran closely monitored the ongoing processes and developments in the South Caucasus region and was in contact with Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the developments.
"No doubt, peace and stability in the South Caucasus region are in the interest of all regional countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the finalization of the text of the peace agreement by the two countries and evaluates the development as an important step towards ensuring sustainable peace in the region," said the statement.
It stressed, "However, Iran voices its concern about the negative consequences of any foreign interference in any way or form, especially in proximity to common borders, that would compromise sustainable regional security and stability."
Iran also expressed its readiness to continue "constructive" cooperation with Azerbaijan and Armenia based on mutual interests to ensure the region's peace, stability, and economic development through bilateral and regional cooperation.
Armenia and Azerbaijan, at loggerheads over the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region since 1988, have been having peace talks since 1994, when a ceasefire was agreed on, despite sporadic clashes since then. ■
