IRAN SUPPORTS AZERBAIJAN’S POSITION ON ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN
Trend News Agency
Aug 21 2007
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend A.Ismaylova / Iran supports position
of Azerbaijan on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
said the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on 21 August in Baku
at the press-conference as a result of talks with the President of
Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
He said that an article on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was included
in the joint declaration of the Presidents which was signed on 21
August in Baku. The State Head of Azerbaijan said that he discussed
with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the joint projects, as well as measures to
ensure stability in the region. Aliyev added that the results of the
talks showed that the two countries are near each other. Touching upon
the regional conflicts, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that all problems
should be resolved via talks.
"Those who create conflicts and apply force for regulating conflicts
do not hold the position of peace and justice," Ahmadinejad said.
According to him, Iran supports peace, stability and respect for the
rights of all peoples. He said that all peoples have equal rights.
"Iran is against any violence worldwide. The peoples should resolve
conflicts peacefully," Iranian President highlighted.
The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasus began in 1988
due to territorial claims by Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia has
occupied 20% of the Azerbaijani land including the Nagorno-Karabakh
region and its seven surrounding Districts. Since 1992, these
territories have been under the occupation of the Armenian Forces. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time
the active hostilities ended. The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
(Russia, France and USA) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.