Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Iran supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Mahmoud Vaezi, Iran’s Communications and Information Technology Minister, made the remark as part of a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

Commenting on the recent developments on the contact line of troops of Armenian and Azerbaijani troops, Vaezi said Iran is interested in ensuring peace and security in the region.

The minister noted the importance of expanding cooperation in fighting against terrorism, radicalism and regional threats.

Mammadyarov, in turn, praised Iran's fair and consistent stance on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, noting that Armenia must withdraw its armed forces from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories in accordance with the UN Security Council’s resolutions.

Earlier, Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, said Karabakh conflict is one of the main regional issues under the focus of Tehran. He further added that Iran and Russia must use every efforts and opportunities to convince Azerbaijan and Armenia to settle the conflict politically.

Iran, Azerbaijan’s southern neighbor and one of the main actors in the region, has repeatedly declared its readiness to help in resolving the long-lasting conflict that emerged as a result of Armenia’s aggressive policy towards Azerbaijan in early 1990s.

Armenia captured 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territories as a result of 1992-94 war. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations and signing of another agreement on truce in 1995. However, Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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Nazrin Gadimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @NazrinGadimova

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