Iran’s Initiative for Karabakh Dispute Aimed at Creating Lasting Peace: Diplomat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said an initiative formulated by Tehran for the settlement of the conflict between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region would contribute to lasting peace in the region.
Araqchi, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on Tuesday night and announced parts of the Iran’s initiative to end the conflict between the two warring sides over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Iranian diplomat is set to hold meetings with Azeri officials and also visit the Russian, Armenian, and Turkish capitals.
“This trip is part of a periodic visit to the countries in the region that are effective in ending the recent conflict between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the main purpose of the trip is to present the initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to resolve this conflict and reach lasting peace between the two countries and (in) the region,” Araqchi said.
“The framework of this initiative has been prepared and will be discussed with the officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan during this visit,” he added, Press TV reported.
Araqchi underlined that, “In several stages, this plan can lead the situation to a lasting peace and end the existing conflict and, of course, the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
Araqchi described the end of the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as an “important element” in Iran's proposed plan and said, "The protection of minority rights and humanitarian rights is another basis for Iran's initiative to end the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."
The Iranian deputy foreign minister went on to say that ending the conflict and “starting a dialogue with the help of influential countries” with the aim of ensuring peace is another key axis of Iran's initiative.
“We are consulting all these issues with the countries of the region and we hope that this plan can reach the desired point for implementation,” Araqchi stated.