ARTSAKH WOULD LIKE TO SET UP RELATIONS WITH IRAN

KarabakhOpen
02-05-2008 12:32:11

"Relations with Iran have special importance in developing
international relations. It should be noted that so far such relations
have encountered problems for different reasons. There are also
preconditions for the development of economic relations between the two
countries. As to the political aspect, Iran already has experience of
a mediator," said the advisor to the NKR foreign minister A. Puluzyan.

In answer to the question what possibilities of promoting relations
with Iran there are, he said the best basis for the development of
relations is the common border. The adviser to the minister says
so far no realistic projects on the use of the border the length of
which is 80 km have been offered.

A. Puluzyan thinks there are considerable prospects for economic
cooperation and investments. Among the factors the adviser noted the
Armenian community in Iran which counts 150 thousand, and which has
a considerable potential for investments.

The adviser also underlined that the Iranian culture is present
in Artsakh.

Evidence to this is the Iranian monuments, mosques in Shushi, Aghdam
and other cities of Artsakh which Azerbaijan ascribes to itself. "We
focus on the preservation of the monuments of Iranian culture. We
also know that the Armenian monuments in Iran are preserved by the
government. It may be a good basis for friendly relations between
the two countries. The NKR government has made efforts to preserve
and restore the Iranian monuments.

This fact should be viewed in the context of the efforts of Azerbaijan
to present the Karabakh conflict to the Conference of Islamic Nations,
for instance, as a religious conflict. However, we can prove that
we have friendly relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran," said
A. Puluzyan.