REGIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM TO PROMOTE SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

news.az
Nov 23 2009
Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Mehdi Sanaei, Prof. of Tehran University, Director
of Center for Research on Russia, Central Asia & Caucasus.

Iran has repeatedly offered its mediation services in the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict while Baku was skeptical about it as in 1992
the next day after Azerbaijan and Armenia concluded a reconciliation
agreement under Iran’s mediation, Armenian troops attacked and occupied
Shusha. What do you think about it?

I think Iran trusts Azerbaijan. In general, Iran pays great attention
to Azerbaijan and highly appreciates elations with Azerbaijan. But
conflicts are usually very complicated, therefore, it is not easy
to settle them. But the regional security system would be useful for
the settlement of all existing conflicts.

Do you consider it possible to create the regional security system
in conditions when there are conflicts between the regional countries?

This system is really needed for the settlement of conflicts because
20 years showed that such system supported by non-regional countries
failed to settle the problem.

Which system of regional security can be spoken of in our region
where there are three poles-Russian, western and Iranian? How can
these countries unite to create a general security system?

I think along with having differences these countries also have
common interests. If the regional countries are able to distance
from western states for the purpose of settling conflicts and pay
attention to regional security, we will get the best results.