Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 15 / Trend , J.Babayeva/
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved only with the assistance of the region's countries, said Muhammadbaghir Bahrami, the Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
"For 17 years, foreign countries have been engaged in solving the conflict, but it has not yet yielded any results, the conflict can be resolved only with the assistance of the countries of the region," Bahrami said at a news conference at the Trend Press Centre on Sept. 15.
The states that have no relationship to the region, pursue their interests, and the OSCE Minsk Group is an example of this, said the ambassador.
"Undoubtedly, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be solved as part of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Iran has always condemned and condemns the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh," the diplomat said.
The ambassador said Iran's relationship with Armenia is not directed against Azerbaijan, they are neighbors and serve to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.