Armenia, Azerbaijan hold talks in Iran as Russia claims main issue resolved in Nagorno-Karabakh

WION, India
Oct 24 2023

The meeting was also attended by the ministers and a joint statement was issued stating that the participants decided to respect the countries' territorial integrity

The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia held talks in Iran on Monday (Oct 23), marking their first meeting since the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh went under the control of Azerbaijan, with Russia stating that the main issue was resolved and further work needs to be done on a peace treaty.

The meeting which took place in the aftermath of the lightning offensive of Azerbaijan into the disputed territory happened amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

"The conflict has, on the whole, been settled. Both sides agree that Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan and that was the main issue to be settled,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russia's Tass news agency in Tehran.

"Of course, practical steps remain for a full normalisation of relations, particularly preparations for a peace treaty, the demarcation of borders and the establishment of economic transport links without impediment,” he added.

The ministers from Turkey, which is a key ally of Azerbaijan and Iran also attended the meeting. A joint statement stated that the participants decided to respect the territorial integrity of countries in the region.

Before the meeting, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that the talks represented a "historic opportunity…. The war in South Caucasus has ended, and it is time for peace and cooperation."

"The presence of outsiders in the region will not only not solve any problems but will also complicate the situation further," he stated, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, the state media quoted Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi saying Tehran "was ready to assist in resolving the existing disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia".

Russia sees itself as the security guarantor between Armenia and Azerbaijan, both being former Soviet republics, however, the distractions and demands of its war in Ukraine have weakened its influence in the South Caucasus.

In a statement posted on the X social media platform, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Ankara wished the talks would "give impetus to normalisation and peace processes".

French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu in Paris stated that France has been helping in improving the air defence capacity of Armenia with the sale of three radars and an agreement on the Mistral anti-air missiles' future delivery.

https://www.wionews.com/world/armenia-azerbaijan-hold-talks-in-iran-as-russia-claims-main-issue-resolved-in-nagorno-karabakh-650517