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14:45 29/06/2013 » COMMENTS
Iran envoy to Azerbaijan: Good relations between Iran and Armenia prevented
Karabakh conflict from becoming religious
We can assist the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by improving
our relations with Armenia, Iran's ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak
Ayeen has said, according to the official website of Iran's embassy in
Azerbaijan.
In an interview with an Azerbaijani website, Iran's envoy responded to an
observation that Armenia is getting stronger due to friendly relations
between Iran and Armenia and economic ties with Iran, which raises the
indignation of the Azerbaijani people.
`If you think that Armenia's economic situation will deteriorate if
Iran-Armenia relations break off and it will contribute to the settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, then you are mistaken,' Mohsen Pak Ayeen
said.
The envoy added, `Although the United States is a friendly country to
Azerbaijan, a number of U.S. states have recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. So, we think that we can assist the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at some time by improving our relations with
Armenia. More, good relations between Iran and Armenia prevented the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from becoming religious, so our relations with
Armenia show that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not religious.'
`Considering that Iran provided assistance to Azerbaijan during the
Karabakh war, will it again assist Azerbaijan in case of war?' In response
to this question, Iran's ambassador said, `We hope the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict will be resolved peacefully.'
The current stage of the Karabakh conflict began in 1988, when the
parliament of Autonomous Oblast of Nagorno-Karabakh asked the authorities
of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan SSR to pass the region to
Armenia.
Azerbaijan responded to the request with protests against the civilians of
Armenian nationality. After the collapse of the Soviet Union a full-scale
war began. Azerbaijan had an overwhelming advantage in quantity, in weapons
and resources and hoped for a quick victory. However, during the brutal war
Azeri troops were defeated, losing about 30,000 soldiers and a number of
previously controlled areas.
On 12 May 1994, after the ceasefire agreement the hostilities in the
conflict zone were ceased. The agreement on cease-fire regime is observed
so far. Since 1992 to the present day negotiations with the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs United States, Russia and France, are being held for
reaching a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Related: Perspectives of Iran-Azerbaijan relations: Commentary by
Iranian Majlis Research Center
Iran's Karabakh mediation mission and liberation of Shoushi: Analysis
by Iranian studies expert
Iranian studies expert: Azerbaijan carries out double foreign policy
towards both West and Islamic counties
Iranian studies expert: Iranian-Armenian relations develop in atmosphere of
mutual trust
http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2013/06/29/ambassador/
Iran envoy to Azerbaijan: Good relations between Iran and Armenia prevented
Karabakh conflict from becoming religious
We can assist the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by improving
our relations with Armenia, Iran's ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak
Ayeen has said, according to the official website of Iran's embassy in
Azerbaijan.
In an interview with an Azerbaijani website, Iran's envoy responded to an
observation that Armenia is getting stronger due to friendly relations
between Iran and Armenia and economic ties with Iran, which raises the
indignation of the Azerbaijani people.
`If you think that Armenia's economic situation will deteriorate if
Iran-Armenia relations break off and it will contribute to the settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, then you are mistaken,' Mohsen Pak Ayeen
said.
The envoy added, `Although the United States is a friendly country to
Azerbaijan, a number of U.S. states have recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. So, we think that we can assist the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at some time by improving our relations with
Armenia. More, good relations between Iran and Armenia prevented the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from becoming religious, so our relations with
Armenia show that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not religious.'
`Considering that Iran provided assistance to Azerbaijan during the
Karabakh war, will it again assist Azerbaijan in case of war?' In response
to this question, Iran's ambassador said, `We hope the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict will be resolved peacefully.'
The current stage of the Karabakh conflict began in 1988, when the
parliament of Autonomous Oblast of Nagorno-Karabakh asked the authorities
of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan SSR to pass the region to
Armenia.
Azerbaijan responded to the request with protests against the civilians of
Armenian nationality. After the collapse of the Soviet Union a full-scale
war began. Azerbaijan had an overwhelming advantage in quantity, in weapons
and resources and hoped for a quick victory. However, during the brutal war
Azeri troops were defeated, losing about 30,000 soldiers and a number of
previously controlled areas.
On 12 May 1994, after the ceasefire agreement the hostilities in the
conflict zone were ceased. The agreement on cease-fire regime is observed
so far. Since 1992 to the present day negotiations with the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs United States, Russia and France, are being held for
reaching a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Related: Perspectives of Iran-Azerbaijan relations: Commentary by
Iranian Majlis Research Center
Iran's Karabakh mediation mission and liberation of Shoushi: Analysis
by Iranian studies expert
Iranian studies expert: Azerbaijan carries out double foreign policy
towards both West and Islamic counties
Iranian studies expert: Iranian-Armenian relations develop in atmosphere of
mutual trust
http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2013/06/29/ambassador/