Armenia Hails Iran's Mediation in Nagorno-Karabakh Dispute

TEHRAN, May 11 (FNA)- Armenian envoy to Tehran thanked Iran for its helpful mediation over the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.
"Iran has not adopted an impartial and passive stance on the conflict. It took a mediatory position which was very helpful," the Armenian ambassador said, addressing a meeting on regional geopolitics held in Tehran on Tuesday aimed at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

"Negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh issue are continuing and the framework of the talks had better to be kept," he added.

"Iran has proved its honesty and friendship with Armenia over last 20 years," the ambassador said according to the Iranian students news agency.

He then referred to the Armenia-Turkey issue, and said, "Now the two sides have suspended talks on resumption of ties, since Turkey had said that Nagorno-Karabakh issue should be resolved ahead of dialogues on resumption of relations, but Armenia believes that the two matters are completely separated."

He reiterated that the matter of dispute should be settled only through a referendum.

"Referendum is the only way through which Nagorno-Karabakh case can be fixed fairly. On the other hand, holding a referendum does not go against international rules."

He called for signing a contract to prevent any use of force against the two countries, adding that Azerbaijan has refused to ink such a contract so far.

Also regarding Yerevan-Karabakh flights, the ambassador said, "Armenia has decided for resumption of the flights as it used to be during the time of the Soviet Union ruling, but Azerbaijan's Aviation Organization has threatened Armenia. Armenian President has given response to the threats."

He also added, "Armenia and Azerbaijan membership in the European Union can help settlement of such problems such as Nagorno-Karabakh."