Iran and Armenia sign key cooperation documents, as Tehran warns against third-party military presence near borders
Iran and Armenia signed on Tuesday 10 cooperation documents in different fields, aiming to boost bilateral relations in areas including socio-politics, culture, tourism, industry, education, road and urban development, and health, according to IRNA news agency.
The documents were signed in the presence of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in the capital Yerevan.
Pezeshkian and Pashinyan also issued a joint statement related to historical and friendly ties, promising “to continue the path that benefits both sides,” IRNA added.
Pezeshkian’s state visit to Yerevan comes on the heels of a United States-mediated agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which fuelled Iranian concerns, as the deal grants the U.S. exclusive rights to develop a route bordering Iran.
In this regard, the Iranian and Armenian leaders discussed regional security, during which Pezeshkian voiced concerns over the presence of third-party forces near shared borders.
“Peace in the Caucasus is a strategic priority for the Islamic Republic of Iran. We support the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and our position has always been clear: borders in the South Caucasus must remain unchanged,” Pezeshkian said, warning that any border alterations could spark geopolitical rivalry.
