Yerevan November 7
Marianna Mkrtchyan. This is not the first time Iran has voted for documents or resolutions within Islamic organizations that are contrary to the interests of Nagorno- Karabakh, but this has never reflected on its policy on this issue. On November 7, Kiro Manoyan, ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Director, expressed this opinion at a press conference in Yerevan, commenting on the adoption of the Istanbul Declaration by the foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan.
Manoyan noted that such items as respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-violation of internationally recognized borders and peaceful settlement of all conflicts were included in the declaration, but there was not a word about the right of peoples to self-determination.
"In fact today a contradictory situation has developed in Iran, and a number of radical forces are already making statements regarding changes in the political line, including on Nagorno-Karabakh. And this should worry us. Maybe today there is an attempt to flirt with Azerbaijan, but it is unpromising, since Baku's foreign policy is absolutely anti-Iranian, "Manoyan added, while stressing the need to focus on internal political discrepancies in Iran.
To note, on October 30, Istanbul hosted the VI trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran – Mevlut Chavushoglu, Elmar Mammadyarov and Mohammad Javad Zarif, at the end of which the Istanbul Declaration was adopted.
The joint declaration expresses the commitment of Ankara, Baku and Tehran to the declarations adopted at the previous tripartite meetings of the Urmii, Nakhijevan, Van, Ramsar and Baku. In addition, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the solidarity and cooperation among the peoples of the three countries based on ancient historical roots, religious and cultural community, serving peace, security, welfare and cooperation in the region. "The parties agreed to continue close consultations on regional and global issues of common interest for strengthening regional and international peace, security and stability at various levels and platforms, as well as within international and regional organizations. At the same time, they emphasized interest in strengthening peace and security in the region, and in this context declared commitments on the principles of international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity not-violation of internationally recognized borders and the peaceful settlement of all conflicts. In this context, the ministers reiterated the importance of an early resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the above principles, stressed the importance of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reflecting the success of multilateral negotiations and diplomacy; recognized that the successful implementation of JCPOA and the full utilization of the benefits provided by JCPOA require full observance of obligations by all the parties ", the declaration reads.