AZERBAIJANI FM: AZERBAIJAN WELCOMES IRAN’S INITIATIVE

Trend
April 19 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan welcomes the initiative of the Iranian side, Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry spokesman Elkhan Polukhov told Trend.

He said that Iran is a neighboring state for both Azerbaijan and for
Armenia. It has mechanisms to impact positively on rapid resolving
of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"I would like to remind that Iran is a country that participated in
the negotiation process to resolve this conflict, being on the position
of supporting the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan", Polukhov said.

Tehran proposes to hold a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers
of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr
Mottaki said.

Iran voiced an initiative to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan
on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It intends to hold a trilateral
meeting of foreign ministers in Tehran, Mottaki told media at a press
conference, Ä°SNA agency reported.

Minister said that Azerbaijan has already given its consent. Tehran
is awaiting a response from Armenia now.

Iran will make every effort to resolve the conflict, Mottaki said.

"The Karabakh conflict can be resolved through negotiations and on
the basis of the principle of justice," Iranian Foreign Minister said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.