Friendship with Armenia is much more valuable for Iran than friendship with Azerbaijan, writes the Baku-based Zerkalo newspaper.
With respect to Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian's recent meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the newspaper writes: "Congratulating Minister Edward Nalbandian on the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence, Iranian FM Ali Akbar Salehi pointed out that Armenian-Iranian good neighborly relations are getting stronger day by day.
"In his turn, the Armenian FM stated that Armenia and Iran have no problems. Even if they do, the problems are of technical nature and are dealt with jointly."
At his Iranian counterpart's request, Minister Nalbandian informed him of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. He pointed out the importance of Iran's balanced position. The newspaper goes on: "It is to be noted that official Tehran's hypocrisy goes beyond all borders. Just a few days ago, the same Ahmadinejad spoke of indestructible Azerbaijani-Iranian friendship. He even recognized Armenia as an aggressor and demanded that it leave Azerbaijan's territories."
The newspaper admits serious problems between Azerbaijan and Iran. "Official Teheran is unwilling to reach an agreement on demarcation of the Caspian Sea. Moreover, Iran is laying claims to the area that has never belonged to it.
"In alliance with Russia, Iran objects to the construction of a Transcaspian bottom gas pipe. Iran's goals are unclear. Is it playing into Russia's hand or trying to retain its position of a country for energy resource transit from Central Asia to Europe, which, in turn, will enable it to exert serious influence on certain political positions in Muslim states? Most probably, both. That is, Iran is playing into Russia's hands, aiming for long-term targets. Azerbaijan is increasing its pressure. Moreover, despite a number of serious concessions made by Azerbaijan, it remains completely neutral about international sanctions against Iran. It, to an extent, even supported its southern neighbor by stating at the top level that Tehran had the right to peaceful nuclear research.
"Further, Azerbaijan publicly pledged that its territory would never be used for attacking Iran, despite the fact that Azerbaijan will hardly 'feel cosy' if Iran has nuclear weapons. On the contrary, Iran will pose immediate threat to Azerbaijan," writes the newspaper.
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