Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 12 / Trend T. Jafarov /
Iran supports the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within international law and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Ahmad Vahidi, Iranian Defense Minister, said at a press conference in Baku.
"We are against any occupation. The countries, which are outside the region, are not interested in resolving the conflict," Vahidi said.
Vahidi also noted the lack of positive results in the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group.
"The OSCE Minsk Group has not achieved positive results in resolving the conflict over 18 years of activity," minister said.
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 seven 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 negotiations to resolve the dispute.
Armenia has failed to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions stipulating the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.