IRAN, ARMENIA OFFICIALS DISCUSS CAUCASUS CRISIS

Islamic Republic News Agency
Sept 16 2008
Iran

Tehran, 16 Sept: Iranian and Armenian foreign ministers in Tehran
on Tuesday [16 Sep 08] exchanged views on the latest developments in
the Caucasus region and reviewed ways out of the current crisis.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Manuchehr Mottaki [Iran’s
foreign minister] said that in his meeting with Edward Nalbandian,
the two ministers also discussed promotion of Tehran-Yerevan relations.

Mottaki added that the visit to Tehran by his Armenian counterpart
was a chance to maintain Iran’s diplomacy of easing tension in the
Caucasus region and also in pursuit of Iran’s talks with the Russian,
Azeri and German officials to this end.

Referring to his Monday visit to Germany, Mottaki said his visit to
Berlin took place in line with Tehran’s shuttle diplomacy to promote
peace and stability in the Caucasus region.

In the aftermath of Georgia war, Iran has started an initiative
by making visits to Russia and Azerbaijan to mediate peace in the
Caucasus region.

He also met with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier,
to encourage the European countries to help solve the Caucasus crisis.

The Armenian minister, for his part, told reporters that he was
satisfied with his talks with Mottaki.

He wished that the current regional crisis would be solved through
peaceful negotiations.

Nalbandian also voiced Yerevan’s support for Tehran’s detente
diplomacy stressing that Armenia would always welcome sustainable
peace in the region.