TEHRAN -- An upcoming visit by President Masoud Pezeshkian to Azerbaijan is an important step in regional and neighborhood diplomacy, Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani wrote on Saturday.
“The visit comes as relations between Tehran and Baku, despite some political and security fluctuations, have always been underpinned by rich historical and cultural commonalities,” she said. 
In addition to geographical proximity, Iran and Azerbaijan share profound kinship and societal affinities, transforming their bilateral relations into a bond resembling “kinship,” rooted in mutual trust and extending far beyond formal ties, she said.
A key aspect of the visit, Mohajerani said, must be analyzed within the framework of Iran’s balanced foreign policy that prioritizes strengthening relations with neighboring and regional countries. 
The visit to Baku comes in the wake of Pezeshkian’s earlier trips to Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and Iraq, demonstrating his administration’s determination to establish new regional and neighborly relations.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been committed to developing neighborly ties based on common interests and free from external interference. Accordingly, Tehran’s approach toward South Caucasus developments is based on pragmatic reasoning, respect for sovereignty, and the promotion of lasting regional peace,” Mohajerani said.
The upcoming visit and discussions, she said, may open new horizons for advancing relations between Iran and Azerbaijan, with considerable potential, especially in strengthening provincial cooperation which adjacent provinces can benefit from.
Reopening bilateral border crossings, which have been constrained since the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran’s diplomatic properties in Azerbaijan, and the pursuit of consular cases will be on the agenda of the discussions, she added.
President Pezeshkian’s visit to Azerbaijan, Mohajerani said, should be regarded as a calculated and practical step toward strengthening bilateral relations, consolidating regional and neighborhood stability, and leveraging shared potential, which can serve peace, security, and sustainable development in the South Caucasus.