Outsiders should not be allowed to intervene in regional issues: Salehi

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that extra-regional countries should not be allowed to interfere in regional issues.

Salehi made the remarks during a trilateral meeting involving the foreign ministers of Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan in Nakhichevan on Wednesday.

He said that the presence of foreign powers in the region will undermine peace and security in the region because they are only thinking about their own interests rather than regional nations’ interests.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the trilateral meeting, Salehi and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu discussed the next round of negotiations between Tehran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany).

The two sides also held talks over other issues including the latest developments in the region and the world as well as ways to expand Tehran-Ankara relations in all spheres.

The issue of Syria was also discussed in the meeting between the foreign ministers.

In a separate meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Salehi called for consolidation of Tehran-Baku ties in various areas.

Holding Iran-Azerbaijan joint economic commission in late April was also discussed in the meeting.

Salehi held another meeting with the Parliament Speaker of Nakhichevan, Vasif Talibov.

In the meeting, Salehi said that Iran and Azerbaijan share many cultural and historical affinities and have great potential which should be utilized to increase cooperation in all spheres.

He also said that the meetings between parliamentary officials would pave the way for further mutual understanding.