IRAN READY TO HELP SETTLE NAGORNO-KARABAKH DISPUTE

Tehran Times
March 16 2009
Iran

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Manoucheher Mottaki said on Friday that
Tehran is ready to mediate between Armenia and the Republic of
Azerbaijan over settling the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

"We talked to the Armenian foreign minister about Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, and in the last days we also talked to the foreign minister
of Azerbaijan in the framework of the ECO meeting," Mottaki told
reporters in joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart
Edward Nalbandyan in Yerevan.

Iran hosted the ECO summit on Wednesday in which Azerbaijan as a
member states was present.

"It has been the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran that this
conflict to be resolved peacefully and the Islamic Republic of Iran
declares its readiness to help the process of establishing peace
and security."

He said Iran’s "Caucasus diplomacy" in establishing dialogue with the
concerned parties has provided a diplomatic approach toward settling
the conflict.

Nalbandyan also said his country considers peace and stability in
the Caucasus region very important which he said will directly affect
economic development and the welfare of people.

The Armenian minster also said, "We consider the Islamic Republic of
Iran’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue to be a moderate and
constructive one."

Also Armenian President Serzh Azati Sargsyan, in a separate meeting
with Mottaki, said that Yerevan needs Iran’s assistance over a
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

Sargsyan said Iran plays important role in the Middle East and the
Caucasus.

He expressed hope that bilateral ties will increase considerabley,
adding that Armenia’s ultimate goal is to connect the Persian Gulf
to the Black Sea.

Mottaki said Tehran-Yerevan relations have been increasing under the
leadership of the two countries’ presidents.

He also said that Tehran spares no efforts to help settle thorny
issues in the Caucasus region