Stability and security in the region must not be violated - Iranian Defense Minister

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 13 / Trend corr. T. Jafarov / Stability and security in the region must not be violated. This was announced on Monday, answering questions from journalists on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, by Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi, FNA reported. "We have always defended and supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan in international organizations, and we believe the current situation unacceptable," - said Vahidi. According to him, Iran is ready to play a major role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Stability and security in the region must not be violated. We must stop any attempt to do so. We are in the same position with our Azerbaijani friends in this matter and hope that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved soon," - Iranian 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 per cent 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 peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az