Iran supports democratic elections in Azerbaijan, says envoy

525 Qazet, Baku
16 Jul 05

Excerpt from Rasad Suleymanov report by Azerbaijani newspaper 525 Qazet
on 16 July headlined “Iran supports democratic elections in Azerbaijan”
and subheaded “Afshar Soleymani: We are against the interference of
certain countries in the internal affairs of other countries under
the cover of democracy”

The Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Afshar Soleymani, clarified
some issues related to the development of bilateral relations in the
near future in an interview with 525 Qazet.

[Soleymani] Iranian-Azerbaijani relations will be expanded under
the new [Iranian] president. The new president has a good attitude
towards Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijanis. I believe that a new stage
is emerging in the expansion of our relations. New programs are
currently being drafted to develop bilateral relations in different
directions. These programs will be continued from now onwards. This
is natural. We will continue to support Azerbaijan’s position in
the region and in international organizations. The intergovernmental
commission is expected to meet in Baku in January next year to discuss
a series of new steps and programmes.

[Interviewer] Mr Ambassador, could you please provide some information
on the visit of [special envoy for Caspian affairs of the Iranian
Foreign Ministry] Mehdi Safari? Has there been any progress in the
talks on the status of the Caspian?

[Soleymani] I also attended the meeting [on Caspian status in Baku].
Some progress was achieved at the meeting, which was held in a friendly
atmosphere. Bilateral negotiations, which are in the interests of
both countries, are under way. There will be good results. These are
technical and legal negotiations. Therefore, it was decided to hold
them on the level of envoys. Certain steps are taken at every stage
of the negotiations on the basis of mutual trust.

[Interviewer] Afshar bay [form of address], Russia has proposed
establishing joint military forces in the Caspian at a time when
the negotiations are still under way. Iran put forward a similar
proposal earlier. We would like to know your government’s position
on Russia’s initiative.

[Soleymani] The security of the Caspian depends on common agreement
between the five [littoral] states. These kinds of issues should be
considered in five-sided meetings. The five countries should come to
agreement together. Iran has not expressed its final decision on the
issue. We believe that a country does not need to express its position
on the issue individually. Iran made a proposal called Stability
and Trust in the Caspian before Russia. Iran takes it normally and
we believe that every country can put forward its own proposal. The
states have equal rights.

[Interviewer] Afshar bay, different countries provide explicit or
clandestine support for different political parties and blocs in
Azerbaijan in the run-up to the parliamentary election [due on
6 November]. What position will Iran take in this election as a
neighbouring country in view of the existence of Islamist parties
in Azerbaijan?

[Soleymani] We believe that every country should decide its fate
itself. People cast their votes in accordance with the capabilities
and reputation of the candidates. Iran supports democratic elections
in Azerbaijan. We support the people and are against the interference
of certain countries in the internal affairs of other countries under
the cover of democracy. We personally prevent other countries from
meddling in our internal affairs.

[Passage omitted: on gas transmission station to Naxcivan]

[Interviewer] Mr Ambassador, some of the OSCE Minsk Group [for the
Nagornyy Karabakh settlement] co-chairmen have touched upon Iran’s
involvement in the peace talks. What do you think of this?

[Soleymani] The French co-chairman said this. Iran has always said
that if invited it is ready to give proposals. We are the neighbours
of both Armenia and Azerbaijan and have means to influence both
countries. In this context, we can influence the settlement of the
conflict more than other remote countries.