TEHRAN, October 04 (MNA) – Former Iranian ambassador to Baku says Azerbaijan and Armenia should not pave the way for the presence of transregional powers in the Caucasus by fulfilling their commitments towards each other.

Referring to the South Caucasus crisis, Mohsen Pakaein in an interview with Mehr News agency said, "The two main actors in this conflict are Azerbaijan and Armenia, and if these two countries fulfill their commitments, other countries cannot affect the peace process in the Caucasus." He stated that Azerbaijan and Armenia had committed to accepting each other's territorial integrity, adding that the Republic of Azerbaijan had agreed to accept the territorial integrity of Armenia and Sivnik province of this country, and due to this acceptance, the shadow of war would be removed from this province and Zangzor Corridor.

Therefore, the acceptance of obligations by the two countries will ensure the stability of peace.

The former ambassador of Iran to Azerbaijan also said that the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to recognize the territorial integrity of countries, not to change the international borders and to protect the rights of Armenians in Karabakh.

Referring to the role of the West, especially the United States, in the Caucasus crisis, Pakaein said that second players like the United States cannot oppose the acceptance of the territorial integrity of the countries by each other.

They act neither in the interest of Azerbaijan nor Armenia and in fact, they want to enter the Caucasus under this pretext to isolate Russia.

He noted that the transregional countries are seeking to turn the Caucasus into a place of competition and conflict between America, Europe, and Russia, and in fact, since Russia is engaged in a war in Ukraine, they want to push Moscow into another problem as well.

The former ambassador said, therefore, the current situation is not in the interest of the region.

It seems that Azerbaijan and Armenia think wisely and try to resolve the issues through negotiations so that there is no need for the presence of transregional countries.

He added that Mr Ilham Aliyev and the authorities of Azerbaijan have clearly stated that they do not intend to attack the Armenians of Karabakh and are not looking for another war in the region.

Pakaein pointed out that Armenia has also announced in the same framework that it will not interfere in the internal affairs of Karabakh and considers it to be the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Therefore, if the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia can stick to their commitments, the transregional countries will not have an excuse to be in the Caucasus.

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