Iran says any peacekeepers in Karabakh must be coordinated

Mediamax, Armenia
Feb 19 2010

Iran says any peacekeepers in Karabakh must be coordinated

Yerevan, 19 February: Iran has a de facto border with Nagornyy
Karabakh today and the issue of the possible placement of peacekeeping
forces and especially their composition touches upon Iran’s interests
and should be coordinated with Tehran.

Mediamax reports that Iranian ambassador Seyyed Ali Saqqa’ian said
this in Yerevan today. He noted, at that Iran welcomes international
efforts on peaceful settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, in
particular, within the framework of OSCE Minsk Group.

The ambassador stated that Iran is interested in developing and
deepening all-comprehensive cooperation with Armenia. He noted the
interest of Tehran in realizing Armenian-Iranian strategic projects on
constructing Meghri HPP [hydroelectric power station], the third
high-voltage line, the railroad main and the oil-products pipeline.

The ambassador stated that the possible toughening of international
sanctions against Iran will have no influence on implementation of
projects in Armenia, reminding that there are sanctions today as well,
but they do not hinder bilateral cooperation. Seyyed Ali Saqqa’ian
expressed confidence that this year they will manage to overcome
economic difficulties, which were reflected in the volume of trade
turnover in 2009.

The ambassador informed that soon the visit of Armenian minister of
education to Iran will take place. During the visit they will solve
technical problems, related to the last year’s decision of Iranian
authorities on non-recognition of diplomas, issued by higher
educational institutions of Armenia.

"Today there are up to 1800 Iranian students studying in Armenia and
we are thankful to your government for assistance in this important
issue", head of Iranian diplomatic mission stated.