CAIRO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on Wednesday, with peace talks scheduled to begin later this week in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The ceasefire has drawn widespread international support, accompanied by calls for sustained negotiations to achieve lasting regional peace and stability.

The following is a summary of global reactions to the development:

GLOBAL WELCOME FOR TEMPORARY TRUCE

-- China

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said China welcomes the ceasefire announcement on the Iran conflict and consistently calls for ending hostilities and resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means.

-- France

French President Emmanuel Macron described the ceasefire as "a very good thing." He said such negotiations should pave the way for a lasting resolution of issues related to Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles and regional activities.

-- Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hailed the ceasefire and thanked Pakistan for its mediation. He said the goal is to negotiate a permanent end to the conflict in the coming days, saying it can "only be achieved through diplomatic means."

-- Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed the ceasefire as positive news, but cautioned that momentary relief must not make people forget the chaos, destruction and loss of life. He called for diplomacy, international law and peace to prevail.

-- New Zealand

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, calling for a lasting ceasefire through "significant important work" in the days ahead.

-- Japan

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara described the ceasefire as a "positive move," saying the de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East remains a top priority.

-- India

Indian Ministry of External Affairs welcomed the ceasefire, saying that the conflict has caused immense suffering and disrupted global energy and trade flows. It urged that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz be ensured without obstruction.

-- Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Ministry said Jakarta welcomes a ceasefire deal and called on Iran and the United States to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and diplomacy of each side.

-- Malaysia

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in the Middle East, saying, "It is earnestly hoped that the negotiation process will be conducted in good faith, with a firm resolve to seeking lasting resolution to the issues currently facing the region."

REGIONAL DEMANDS FOR DURABLE PEACE

-- Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi called on all parties to engage seriously in negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace in the region. He expressed hope that this positive development "will be crowned with a permanent agreement to end the war."

-- Kuwait

Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for strict ceasefire adherence and creating conditions for dialogue toward a lasting, comprehensive regional settlement.

The country also urged Iran and affiliated groups to "immediately cease hostile actions and respect the sovereignty of states."

-- Oman

Oman's Foreign Ministry said it welcomes the announcement of the ceasefire, noting, "We affirm the importance of intensifying efforts now to find solutions that can end the crisis from its roots and achieve a permanent cessation of the state of war and hostilities in the region."

-- Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Foreign Ministry voiced support for Pakistan-led mediation toward a lasting agreement, calling for enhanced regional security and stability by tackling the root causes of instability over the past decades.

-- Jordan

Jordan's Foreign Ministry said the ceasefire should lead to agreements that end violations threatening state sovereignty and citizen safety, and enhance regional stability.

-- Qatar

Qatar's Foreign Ministry called the ceasefire a first step toward de-escalation, urging swift follow-up action to prevent regional tensions from spreading.

"The Ministry also stresses the importance of ensuring the security of maritime passages and the freedom of international navigation and trade in accordance with the rules of international law, contributing to the preservation of regional stability and global supply chains," it said.

-- Iraq

Iraq's Foreign Ministry said it "welcomes" the ceasefire, calling for "building upon this positive step by launching serious and sustainable dialogue tracks that address the root causes of the disputes and strengthen mutual trust."

-- Türkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the ceasefire, saying, "We hope that the ceasefire will be fully implemented on the ground without giving any opportunity for possible provocations and sabotage."

Türkiye's Foreign Ministry also stressed the necessity of "the full implementation of the temporary ceasefire on the ground."

-- Algeria

The Algerian Foreign Ministry called the ceasefire "an important step toward easing tensions and promoting lasting solutions to ongoing disputes in the region."

It called for "continued positive, constructive, and impartial engagement with international mediation initiatives to help achieve sustainable and long-term security in the Middle East."

-- Arab League

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit described the ceasefire as an important step in the right direction to de-escalate tensions and prevent the region from sliding into catastrophic scenarios.

He said any future arrangements between the United States and Iran must safeguard the interests of the Arab Gulf states.■