Efforts to Damage Iran-Azerbaijan Ties Are Pointless

Speaking at a weekly press conference at the Foreign Ministry on Monday, Qassemi described the Caucasus as a “very delicate and important region”, saying the historic, cultural and political relationship between Iran and Caucasia makes Tehran pursue regular negotiations with the nations in that region.

He then made a reference to Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan’s recent visit to Iran, saying bilateral talks between Tehran and Yerevan revolve around economic, political and cultural issues, as well as regional matters, including the crisis in Syria.

Iran’s ties with Armenia have experienced much less snags in comparison with other neighbors, Qassemi said, making it clear that Iran-Armenia cooperation is not against any third country.

Given its friendly relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran was the first country to mediate between Yerevan and Baku in a conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, the spokesman added.

Qassemi then denounced mischievous moves to harm Iran’s ties with Azerbaijan, stressing that such hostile measures could not damage the “friendly and deep” relations between the two Muslim neighbors.

“We are trying to expand our relations with other countries in the region (Caucasus), including Georgia, as well,” he went on to say.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has time and again stressed that improving ties and cooperation with neighbors is a top priority in Tehran’s foreign policy.