‘Miscalculation Behind Caucasus Events’

‘MISCALCULATION BEHIND CAUCASUS EVENTS’

PRESS TV
Sept 16 2008
Iran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mottaki says that wrong signals and
miscalculation by countries outside the region led to the Caucasus
events.

"The Caucasus region has important points for convergence but
developments during the past month caused many problems for the
region," Manouchehr Mottaki said in a joint press conference with
his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, in Tehran Tuesday.

Mottaki added that Iran, as a neighbor to the sensitive region of
the Caucasus, presented a proposal on consultation among regional
countries with the aim of drawing up strategies for cooperation.

Mottaki said that following the directions of Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he made separate visits to Russia, Azerbaijan and
Germany. The minister added that the current visit by the Armenian
foreign minister to Tehran is a ‘good opportunity’ to complete the
chain of talks.

Iran and Armenia share common concerns and stances on regional
developments, Mottaki said.

Mottaki also expressed Iran’s readiness to mediate between neighboring
Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Karabakh issue.

Nalbandian said that Tehran and Yerevan enjoy the same position on
the conflict in Georgia.

The Armenian minister noted that Iran has very interesting ideas
and proposals, adding Yerevan would keep talking with Tehran about
regional security and stability.