The ministry was commenting on Tehran’s position on the so-called parliamentary election, to be held by the separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh May 3.
"There are no changes in Iran’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” the ministry said. “This position has been indicated in the joint statement issued during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s official visit to Azerbaijan. Iran urges the sides of the conflict to avoid actions that could exacerbate tension in the region."
"Holding of the so-called elections in the conflict zone is considered one of such actions," the ministry said. "This can escalate tension in the region. We urge the sides of the conflict to avoid such actions.”
During the Iranian president’s visit to Azerbaijan in November 2014, President Rouhani and President Aliyev issued a joint statement. One item relates to the conflict settlement in this statement.
"While considering the violation of the internationally recognized borders between the countries by threats as unacceptable, the sides, in accordance with the UN Charter, stand for the conflict settlement on the basis of the principles of sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity,” the statement said. “At the same time, the sides refer to the importance of rapid settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with international standards."
Earlier, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry called the ‘parliamentary election’ planned to be held by the separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh on May 3 as illegal.
“The upcoming “election” is a clear violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the norms and principles of international law,” spokesman for the Azerbaijani foreign ministry Hikmet Hajiyev said. “This “election” is aimed at undermining the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.”
A number of international organizations and countries also condemned holding the so-called parliamentary election in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council’s four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Edited by CN
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