“If any country is closely cooperating with only Azerbaijan or only Armenia, that country cannot contribute to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But Iran’s good relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia allow it to help settle the conflict,” Mohsen Pakaein told reporters on Friday.
Both Azerbaijan and Armenia claim the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is mainly populated by Armenians but located in Azerbaijan.
“The disruption of security in the region can also harm Iran’s security. The unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its re-ignition pose threat to the region,” Pakaein said.
He also said the fact that Iran borders the conflict zone can undermine the country’s security, adding, “The establishment of peace will be useful not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia, but also for the entire region, including Iran. Therefore, the conflict should be resolved through peace as soon as possible.”
“You know that Iran is currently chairing the Non-Aligned Movement, has influence in the region and is an active member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. If the parties want, Iran can help solve the conflict,” he added.
Iran had earlier extended an offer to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the dispute, which has dragged on since ethnic Armenian forces took control of the region during a war in the early 1990s, through diplomatic channels.
In April 2010, Manouchehr Mottaki, who was Iran’s foreign minister at the time, presented a proposal for a trilateral meeting with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts to attempt to resolve the dispute.
MT/PA
MNA
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MNA
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