Russia, Iran to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution

By Azernews

By Rashid Shirinov

The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed during the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Moscow.

This was announced by Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan in an interview with RIA Novosti on February 6.

Rouhani's visit is scheduled to take place in late March. He will discuss with the Russian leadership the highlights of bilateral relations in political, trade and economic spheres.

“In addition, the focus of attention will cover the interaction on the most sensitive issues on the regional agenda, such as the situation in Afghanistan, Caspian issue, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” said the ambassador.

He added that the Syrian issue will also be addressed during the talks in Moscow. “I think, it will take a significant place in the agenda of the talks,” the diplomat said.

Speaking of the date of the expected trilateral meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, Dzhagaryan said that it could be discussed during the visit of the leadership of Azerbaijan to Iran, which is scheduled for early March, as well as during Rouhani's visit to Moscow in late March.

Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions from Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly 1 million were displaced as a result of the war.

Large-scale hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered ceasefire in 1994 but Armenia continued the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

Peace talks mediated by Russia, France and the U.S. have produced no results so far.