Azerbaijan still hopes to persuade Iran to blockade Armenia, yet faces another failure

March 28, 2011 - 20:15 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Baku uses every opportunity to yet another time express its determination to “liberate lands.” The presence of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Tehran during Nowruz celebrations came as another reason.

According to Azerbaijani parliament vice speaker Bahar Muradova, Iran, being an Islamic country, must not undertake any steps contradicting to Azerbaijan’s national interests.

The vice speaker urges Iran to join in the blockade Azerbaijan and Turkey imposed on Armenia. “If Iran refuses to help Armenia, the blockaded Armenian government will have to agree to negotiations,” Muradova believes, adding that the war will bring many disasters upon Armenia.

It’s been 20 years since Armenia has been blockaded by Azerbaijan and Turkey, with every Baku attempt to win Tehran over to its side ending in a failure. Iran is conducting a well-balanced regional policy, clearly understanding that one must not take sides in Karabakh conflict. The country does not wish to follow Turkey’s sad example on the issue.

It’s been several weeks since Azerbaijanis have been voicing severe concern over developing Armenia-Iran relations. Obviously, numerous anti-Iranian meetings in Baku and Ankara aim to force Tehran to turn away from Yerevan.

Thus, on February 4, Turkish citizens of Azerbaijani origin organized a rally in front of Iranian embassy in Ankara. Rally participants laid a black wreath at Iranian embassy, demanding Iran to stop cooperation with Armenia and interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs.

February 9 Baku-hosted rally against “Iran’s officials’ disrespectful attitude to Azerbaijan and establishing closer relations with Armenia” was dispersed by the police. Most probably, Azerbaijani authorities aimed to show their non-involvement in organisation of suchlike rallies.

Some assumptions suggest that anti-Iranian rallies are caused by Baku’s fear for Islamic revolution which might be provoked by increasing influence of Islam in Azerbaijan.

However, it should be kept in mind that Iran has rejected a request to provide Azerbaijan with a corridor along Arax River for attacking Fizuli, Jebrail and Zangelan. According to Echo newspaper, Baku negotiated the issue in autumn 2010 and experienced complete failure. In exchange for the corridor, Baku promised to take a neutral stand in case of a war against Iran. Clearly, Baku cannot forgive Iran’s refusal.

While Azerbaijan tries to exacerbate Iran-Armenia ties, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has scheduled a visit to Armenia. Return visit of Armenian President to Iran is planned as well as his participation in Novruz festivities. “Mutual visits of parliament speakers and other officials are also expected,” Iran’s ambassador to Armenia Seyed Ali Saghaeyan stressed.

Apparently, yet another attempt of Azerbaijan to “harm” Armenia has failed.

Meanwhile Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is urging to expand bilateral ties with Armenia and develop regional cooperation. As he noted, the perspectives of Armenia-Iran relations development have no boundaries.