IRAN, RUSSIA DISCUSS NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT
, Turkey
April 12 2013
The sides discussed political and security interests in the Caucasus
region, also touching on such topics as multilateral trade among
regional countries, and effective regional development.
Iran and Russia have discussed the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict today, IRNA reported.
Iranian Foreign Ministry’s director of CIS and Caucasus countries
department, Mohammad Reza Murshudzadeh met with Russian Foreign
Ministry’s director of 3rd Department for CIS countries, Alexander
Sternik, and the director of 4th department, Alexander Pavlovsky
in Moscow.
Murshudzadeh arrived in Moscow upon the invitation from his Russian
counterparts.
Speaking about the South Caucasus, it was noted at the meeting
that the conflict can be resolved with use of Iran’s capabilities,
given the friendly relations it has with both sides of the conflict,
Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented
the U.N. Security Council’s four resolutions on the liberation of
the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Among other issues, the sides discussed the regional capability to
fight drug trafficking.
The need to strengthen regional peace, security, and preserve good
neighborly relations with the Central Asian and Caucasus countries,
was emphasized.
Iranian diplomat expressed hope that Iran and Russia could develop
their regional cooperation within such structures as Shanghai
Cooperation Organization, and those similar to it.
Russian officials in turn underlined Iran’s importance in region’s
stability and security, and called on closer cooperation.
The sides discussed political and security interests in the Caucasus
region, also touching on such topics as multilateral trade among
regional countries, and effective regional development.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
