Interfax, Russia
Dec 15 2009

Iran wants resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible
– Ahmadinejad

BAKU Dec 15

Iran is willing to support efforts to establish peace in relations
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
said at a meeting with Azeri President Elmar Mammadyarov in Tehran,
the Azeri Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Ahmadinejad said Iran wants the soonest possible resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. Cooperation between the two countries has
deep historic roots, and Iran is grateful to Azerbaijan for supporting
it in international organizations, which can be seen as an example of
true brotherhood, he said.

Mammadyarov mentioned successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and
Iran in all areas and said this cooperation is progressing. Having
informed Ahmadinejad of negotiations on settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem, the minister thanked him for supporting Azerbaijan in this
conflict on the international arena.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and the Iranian National
Gas Export Company signed two documents during the visit. The first
document stipulates that, within two weeks from its signature, the
parties have to start negotiations on selling gas to Iran for five
years, with the option of extending this contract. In line with the
second document, Azerbaijan will sell gas to Iran in winter 2010 so
that it be consumed in northern regions of that country.