Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan says regional countries can play a key role in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"Along with the groups dealing directly with this issue, the regional countries can also contribute to the Karabakh settlement," Mohsen Pak Ayeen told local media on May 30.

Pak Ayeen said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved peacefully.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted in 1988 after Armenia's territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

For over two decades, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been at loggerheads over the issue which impedes the development of the region, as long as Armenia continues its policy of aggression.

Peace talks, mediated by Russia, France and the US through the OSCE Minsk Group, are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs and dubbed the Madrid Principles. The negotiations have been largely fruitless so far.

"The conflict should be settled fairly within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. At the same time, we are ready to do our best in this issue," Pak Ayeen noted.

Tehran has repeatedly offered to mediate in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with the agreement of the parties.

Earlier, Pak Ayeen said the peaceful solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the main goals of Iran's foreign policy.

As for economic relations, he said both countries are currently developing trade, transit and energy projects.

"The relevant bodies in Iran are working on the projects. These projects will be discussed at a meeting of the joint economic commission to be held in August in Baku," Pak Ayeen informed.

He further noted that a delegation led by the General Director for Europe, America and Caspian Sea Neighboring Countries in Iran's Oil Ministry, Hossein Esmaeili will attend the 21st Caspian International Oil & Gas Exhibition to be held in Baku on June 4-5.

Pak Ayeen also added that the Head of Iranian Disaster Management Organization, First Deputy Interior Minister of Iran Ismail Najjar will arrive in Azerbaijan next week to attend the meeting of ECO member states in Gabala.