IRAN PROPOSES TO HOLD TRILATERAL MEETING WITH ARMENIAN, AZERBAIJANI AND IRANIAN FMS
Trend
April 19 2010
Azerbaijan
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, ISNA 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.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s resolutions
on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied
territories.