In an exclusive interview with Iran Daily, Pashinyan said Iran, as an important country in the region, can play a key role in stopping the conflict between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

“This role can now be concentrated on ending military operations,” said Pashinyan, adding that Armenia “welcomes any constructive step by Iran to bring peace and tranquility to the region”.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a breakaway region of Azerbaijan mainly inhabited by ethnic Armenians and backed by Armenia. The fighting over the disputed region has left hundreds dead since clashes erupted on September 27.

Since then, dozens of rockets have landed in villages along the Iranian border wounding a number of people and destroying buildings.

Pashinyan expressed regret over stray fire, saying it was not from Armenia.

“I can give assurances that the Armenian side is doing its utmost so that no harm is inflicted on its friendly country Iran.”

The Armenian prime minister also accused Turkey of “transferring terrorist mercenaries” from Syria to Nagorno-Karabakh to fight for Azerbaijan. “This has been internationally proven,” he said.

The premier said there are “many documents” that indicate militants from Syria are fighting for Azerbaijan.

He warned that the presence of such militants poses a “grave threat to the region” and that its consequences will emerge in the future.

Pashinyan called on regional states “to deal with this issue more seriously”.

Ankara has openly voiced support for Baku in the conflict and demanded that the region be returned to Azerbaijan.

Ethnic Armenian separatists seized the Nagorno-Karabakh region from Azerbaijan in a 1990s war that claimed 30,000 lives.  The region’s declaration of independence has not been recognized by any country, even Armenia, and it is still part of Azerbaijan under international law.

Pashinyan said Azerbaijan and Turkey held a joint military drill one and a half months before the start of the conflict.

“After the end of the exercise, part of Turkish military forces remained in Azerbaijan,” he said, arguing that the current war has long been planned.

The Armenian leader said that his country is engaged in a “full-fledged war that threatens the entire region”.

Answering a question about the failure of a Russian-brokered truce agreement, he accused Turkey of “trying to constantly to prevent a cease-fire”.

“Turkey has extensive goals… Turkey seeks to secure its presence in the South Caucasus region to revive an empire through which Turkey wants to expand its influence to the east, north, south and southeast of Nagorno-Karabakh,” Pashinyan pointed out.

He warned that such a policy will have a direct impact on all countries.

Pashinyan said Armenia will not accept any “foreign interference or mediation” in the conflict except from the Minsk Group which is comprised of France, Russia and the United States

He took a swipe at the Minsk Group for their inability “to affect developments” in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“Although they issue statements and adopt stances, they do not have the power to affect developments,” he said.

The premier said Azerbaijan is “extensively using Israeli drones” in its military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh which “proves that foreign powers intervention” in the region through various ways.

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The Iranian President wished success for the Armenian president and prosperity for the nation and government.

September 21 is marked as Independence Day in the Republic of Armenia. Based on the referendum results (99% of the votes proved in favor of independence) the Republic of Armenia was proclaimed an independent State by Parliament.

Iran and Armenia, as two neighboring states, have always enjoyed amicable relations in a whole host of fields.

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He stressed the necessity of developing and expanding relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran and added, “senior officials of the two countries have emphasized on strengthening and enhancing bilateral ties in economic field.”

The two countries enjoy high potentials in the economic field, he said, adding, “in the meantime, media can play an important role in expansion of bilateral relations between Tehran and Yerevan.”

Elsewhere in his remark, Armenian prime minister pointed to the key role of upcoming Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which will be held in Yerevan in mid-October, and said, “upcoming EEU summit can strengthen and broaden mutual ties between Iran and Armenia in every aspect.”

He reiterated, “Armenia is the only EEU member state that shares land border with the Islamic Republic of Iran, so that Iran-Armenia Transit Road is of paramount importance for Armenia in transferring Iranian products to EEU via Armenia.”

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IRAN NEWS NATIONAL

President Hassan Rouhani, in meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister, expressed Iran’s readiness to increase the volume of gas exports to Armenia.

He made the remarks in a joint press conference with Pashinyan in Tehran after a ceremony for signing two memoranda of understanding between Iran and Armenia.

“The two countries have enough motivation and will to deepen relations,” said Rouhani while expressing satisfaction over relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia.

“The high-ranking delegations of the two countries discussed a wide range of issues and reached an agreement on them,” he said, adding, “the commission for economic cooperation between the two countries was tasked with following up on what we discussed.”

Appreciating Armenia’s stance towards illegal sanctions of the United States against Iran, he said, “we are willing to deepen Tehran-Yerevan relations in all fields of mutual interest.”

He continued, “in today’s meeting, we discussed the most important bilateral, regional and international issues and the two countries are determined to continue their strong relations based on national interests”.

“There are very good relations between the two countries in political, cultural, scientific and academic fields, as well as tourism,” he added.

Referring to cooperation in gas and electricity, as well as completion of Khoda Afarin Dam, Rouhani said, “Iran is willing to cooperate in Armenia’s north-south road”.

He also mentioned cooperation in optical fiber connections and data transmission, saying, “both countries are willing to have more cooperation in ICT sector.”

“In addition to bilateral economic relations, we agreed on the connection of electricity between Iran, Armenia and Georgia, and then with Russia,” said Rouhani.

He further added, “regarding increasing gas exports, we are prepared to negotiate for the export of gas through Armenia to Georgia, as well as the connection of the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea through Armenia and Georgia.”

During the press conference, the Prime Minister of Armenia said, “I feel like being in a friendly country, and the presence of Armenian political-parliamentary delegation alongside ministers in this visit means that relations with Iran is very important for us.”

Pashinyan also said, “the presence of Armenians in Iran is one of the reasons that motivated us to visit Tehran.”

“As the President of the Eurasian Economic Union, I announce that agreements with Iran are under discussion in parliaments and I hope that they become implemented soon,” he continued.

“Cooperation in energy is very important for us, and fortunately, Iran has announced readiness for increasing its gas export,” he added.

The officials of Iran and Armenia signed an MoU to increase bilateral cooperation between the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran and Armenian Ministry of Economic Development and Investments in Tehran on Wednesday.

Also, the two countries signed another MoU to promote interactions and cooperation between the Supreme Council of Free Trade, Industrial and Special Economic Zones of Iran and Armenian Ministry of Economic Development and Investments.

Later in the evening, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei received the Armenian Prime Minister.

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