Azernews.Az

TEHRAN – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno (Upper) Karabakh could be resolved through negotiations and based on fairness and mutual respect.

"The region’s nations should live in peace and friendship," Ahmadinejad said prior to his visit to Azerbaijan. "We are neighbors and can’t deny that. This is [our] geography and history. If we try to resolve our problems fairly and in a friendly manner, all problems will find their solutions."

Ahmadinejad said the presence of a conflict in the region harms everyone. "This means loss of wealth and time for both sides, the emergence of nerve-racking tension and hampers development. We have repeatedly stated and are affirming that Iran is ready to aid a settlement of the conflict."

Ahmadinejad also said Tehran has already proven that it is capable of assisting in the peace process.

"Initial steps have already been taken on our part. If there is a result, we will take further steps."

According to the Iranian president, challenges facing the region should be addressed from within. "Foreign interference with such issues will cause an exacerbation of the conflict. The experience shows that."

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict for two decades. 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory has been under Armenian occupation since the two South Caucasus republics signed a precarious cease-fire in 1994 following a lengthy war. The OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France, is brokering peace talks.

President Ahmadinejad is paying an official visit to Baku to attend a summit of the Caspian littoral states, due Thursday.