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BAKU: Iran supports democratic elections in Azerbaijan, says envoy

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  • BAKU: Iran supports democratic elections in Azerbaijan, says envoy

    Iran supports democratic elections in Azerbaijan, says envoy

    525 Qazet, Baku
    16 Jul 05

    Excerpt from Rasad Suleymanov report by Azerbaijani newspaper 525 Qazet
    on 16 July headlined "Iran supports democratic elections in Azerbaijan"
    and subheaded "Afshar Soleymani: We are against the interference of
    certain countries in the internal affairs of other countries under
    the cover of democracy"

    The Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Afshar Soleymani, clarified
    some issues related to the development of bilateral relations in the
    near future in an interview with 525 Qazet.

    [Soleymani] Iranian-Azerbaijani relations will be expanded under
    the new [Iranian] president. The new president has a good attitude
    towards Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijanis. I believe that a new stage
    is emerging in the expansion of our relations. New programs are
    currently being drafted to develop bilateral relations in different
    directions. These programs will be continued from now onwards. This
    is natural. We will continue to support Azerbaijan's position in
    the region and in international organizations. The intergovernmental
    commission is expected to meet in Baku in January next year to discuss
    a series of new steps and programmes.

    [Interviewer] Mr Ambassador, could you please provide some information
    on the visit of [special envoy for Caspian affairs of the Iranian
    Foreign Ministry] Mehdi Safari? Has there been any progress in the
    talks on the status of the Caspian?

    [Soleymani] I also attended the meeting [on Caspian status in Baku].
    Some progress was achieved at the meeting, which was held in a friendly
    atmosphere. Bilateral negotiations, which are in the interests of
    both countries, are under way. There will be good results. These are
    technical and legal negotiations. Therefore, it was decided to hold
    them on the level of envoys. Certain steps are taken at every stage
    of the negotiations on the basis of mutual trust.

    [Interviewer] Afshar bay [form of address], Russia has proposed
    establishing joint military forces in the Caspian at a time when
    the negotiations are still under way. Iran put forward a similar
    proposal earlier. We would like to know your government's position
    on Russia's initiative.

    [Soleymani] The security of the Caspian depends on common agreement
    between the five [littoral] states. These kinds of issues should be
    considered in five-sided meetings. The five countries should come to
    agreement together. Iran has not expressed its final decision on the
    issue. We believe that a country does not need to express its position
    on the issue individually. Iran made a proposal called Stability
    and Trust in the Caspian before Russia. Iran takes it normally and
    we believe that every country can put forward its own proposal. The
    states have equal rights.

    [Interviewer] Afshar bay, different countries provide explicit or
    clandestine support for different political parties and blocs in
    Azerbaijan in the run-up to the parliamentary election [due on
    6 November]. What position will Iran take in this election as a
    neighbouring country in view of the existence of Islamist parties
    in Azerbaijan?

    [Soleymani] We believe that every country should decide its fate
    itself. People cast their votes in accordance with the capabilities
    and reputation of the candidates. Iran supports democratic elections
    in Azerbaijan. We support the people and are against the interference
    of certain countries in the internal affairs of other countries under
    the cover of democracy. We personally prevent other countries from
    meddling in our internal affairs.

    [Passage omitted: on gas transmission station to Naxcivan]

    [Interviewer] Mr Ambassador, some of the OSCE Minsk Group [for the
    Nagornyy Karabakh settlement] co-chairmen have touched upon Iran's
    involvement in the peace talks. What do you think of this?

    [Soleymani] The French co-chairman said this. Iran has always said
    that if invited it is ready to give proposals. We are the neighbours
    of both Armenia and Azerbaijan and have means to influence both
    countries. In this context, we can influence the settlement of the
    conflict more than other remote countries.
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