With end of latest flare-up in Karabakh dispute, Iran FM urges collective cooperation to avert more wars

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has hailed the liberation of occupied territories in Azerbaijan at the end of the latest flare-up in Karabakh dispute, calling for collective cooperation among regional countries to avert the recurrence of similar conflicts in the future.

Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov on Saturday at the end of his regional visit to Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey, which took place two months after the latest round of armed conflict between Baku and Yerevan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

He expressed satisfaction about the liberation of the occupied territories while lamenting the loss of civilian lives in the conflict.

Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but has been occupied by ethnic Armenian separatists since 1992 when they broke from Azerbaijan in a war that killed some 30,000 people.

The latest armed conflict between the two ex-Soviet republics erupted on September 27 last year and ended on November 10 through a Russian-brokered truce.

Karabakh war is over; Armenia agrees to withdraw forces from occupied lands

Yerevan has signed a Russia-brokered deal to end its conflict with Baku over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, committing itself to withdrawing all its forces from the occupied territories in a move that has outraged Armenians who consider it as “concession of defeat”.

As part of the truce agreement, Armenia returned swathes of territory it had occupied for decades to Azeri control.

The agreement was signed after the Azerbaijani army overwhelmed Armenian forces and threatened to advance on Karabakh’s main city of Khankendi, which Armenians call Stepanakert after a 19th-century Bolshevik militant.

The truce, which was warmly welcomed as a victory in Azerbaijan, prompted anger in Armenia, with protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Pointing to the outcomes of his regional tour, the Iranian foreign minister said senior officials of the five countries have stressed the importance of bolstering regional cooperation to promote stability and prevent more disputes.

He also noted that regional countries should increase cooperation, particularly in the field of establishing transport and transit routes, saying Nakhchivan region plays a leading role in this regard.

Talibov, for his turn, briefed the Iranian foreign minister on Nakhchivan's cooperation with Iran in the fields of trade and electricity exchange as well as cultural issues.

He said Nakhchivan is keen to boost cooperation with Iran in the fields of railways and transit, roads, customs and transit of commodities.

Iran,Turkey say regional stability can only be restored through 'synergy'

The Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran and Turkey believe that synergy is the only way to restore stability to the region.

Upon his arrival in Nakhchivan earlier in the day, Zarif expressed hope that Iran and regional countries would prepare the ground for strengthening cooperation and moving towards the establishment of sustainable peace in the region.

Bitter experience of war in Caucasus must not be repeated: Zarif

Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister told reporters that regional countries should adopt measures to prevent the recurrence of the bitter experience of war in Caucasus, adding that it would be possible only through “effective cooperation” among all.

Zarif said the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic plays a crucial and leading role in promoting peace in Caucasus.

He pointed to his talks with the five countries’ authorities and expressed hope that they would be able to forge comprehensive cooperation to establish the South-North or South-West transport corridors.

These corridors can connect the Persian Gulf to Russia and to the Black Sea, he said, adding that Nakhchivan would play a very important role in this regard.

Read more: 

• Iran ready to help establish peace, security in Caucasus: FM Zarif

• Iran’s Rouhani urges restraint over Karabakh dispute, warns of new war in region

• Armenia, Azerbaijan must solve Karabakh dispute through peaceful means: Iran

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