IRNA, Iran
Islamic Republic News Agency
March 3 2007

Azeri minister urges Iran to continue efforts to settle Karabakh
crisis
Baku, March 3, IRNA

Azeri National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov here on Saturday
called on Iran to continue its efforts to settle the Karabakh crisis.

In a meeting with outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Afshar
Soleymani, he also called for further expansion of Tehran-Baku
cooperation in all fields.

Referring to the exchange visits of the two countries’ officials, he
said these visits have effectively promoted all-out bilateral
cooperation.

He said Baku will never forget the precious assistance Iran gave
during the difficult years following Azerbaijan’s independence as
well as its role in trying to effect a settlement of the Karabakh
dispute.

Soleymani, for his part, urged the two sides to strenthen their
relations in order to better confront the conspiracies of enemies.

Tehran welcomes progress and development in the Republic of
Azerbaijan’s as it believes they contribute to regional peace and
security, the Iranian envoy added.