AzerNews, Azerbaijan
June 24 2004

Iran recognizes Armenia as aggressor

Iranian Justice Minister Mahammad Ismayil Shushteri met with
Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov on Thursday.

Along with bilateral cooperation, the conflict over Upper Garabagh
was discussed. Alasgarov said Iran has always supported Azerbaijan’s
position within international entities, including the Islamic
Conference Organization. He noted that although Azerbaijan supports a
peaceful settlement, it will liberate its occupied territories at all
costs. Shushteri said Iran considers Armenia an aggressor country and
that his country will do its best to achieve the settlement of the
conflict.

He stressed that his country is interested in resolving the conflict
and assured the Azerbaijani side that Iran’s position on the issue
will remain concrete and clear. Touching upon legal cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Iran, Shushteri said the two countries have
signed and ratified three relevant documents so far and emphasized
the need for even closer collaboration in this area.