Fars News Agency, Iran
News number: 8706301073 16:14 | 2008-09-20
FM: Tehran Completes First Stage of Caucasus Diplomacy
TEHRAN (FNA)-Iran completed the first phase of Caucasus diplomacy by
negotiations over South Ossetia military conflict with Georgian
president and foreign minister.
Iran’s foreign minister elaborated on his negotiations with Russia,
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Germany over South Ossetia military conflict
in a meeting with Mikheil Saakashvili in Tbilisi.
"Iran has made positive negotiations with the influential regional
parties which are engaged in this issue over reaching an appropriate
way out of the present situation and appropriate measures that will
establish security and peace in the region," Mottaki was quoted by
ISNA as saying.
Underlining Iran is sensitive over the security and stability of the
region, he said the steps which were discussed during his Caucasus
diplomacy negotiations with regional countries were achievable.
Saakashvili, for his part, asserted that Iran holds an important and
sensitive position in the region and expansion of Tehran-Tbilisi ties
is important to his country.
He expressed hope that Iran’s regional talks would pave the way for
Caucasus peace and stability and emphasized Georgia is ready to
conduct required cooperation with any regional power that could turn
back the current situation to the normal track.
Mottaki also held a meeting with Georgian counterpart where he said
his visit to Tbilisi was the completion step of the first stage in
Iran’s Caucasus diplomacy that is aimed at restoration of peace and
security in the region.
He told Eka Tkeshelashvili that talks with Moscow, Baku, Yerevan,
Tbilisi and Berlin has helped distinguishing common grounds that will
facilitate reestablishment of security.
He also expressed readiness to form a joint commission of Tehran and
Tbilisi to pursue South Ossetia conflict.
Tkeshelashvili, on her part, welcomed Iran’s view in Caucasus
diplomacy and said Georgia is ready to make cooperation on settling
the conflict.
Tehran’s initiative for resolving Ossetia conflict, referred to as
"Caucasus diplomacy" or the "3+3 plan" has been welcomed by regional
countries.
The military conflict between Russia and Georgia was sparked on August
7, after Georgia tried to regain control of the independence-seeking
region of South Ossetia through military action. The war claimed the
lives of hundreds of civilians and left a large number displaced.
Moscow officially recognized the independence of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia on August 26.
Tehran believes Ossetia issue happened as trans-regional powers fanned
the flames between Russia and Georgia by sending wrong signals. Tehran
is optimistic it would aid restoration of peace in the war-torn region
employing Caucasus regional commonalities and EU’s potentials.