YEREVAN, MARCH 13, NOYAN TAPAN. At the March 13 joint press conference Armenian and Iranian Foreign Ministers Edward Nalbandian and Manouchehr Mottaki highly assessed the bilateral relations. Issues regarding the bilateral relations, regional stability were discussed at the meeting preceding the press conference. E. Nalbandian presented the latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process to his Iranian counterpart. M. Mottaki expressing satisfaction with the Armenian-Iranian relations, meanwhile noted that in consideration of the current possibilities, nevertheless he does not consider sufficient the current level of relations. According to him, if the bilateral agreements are fulfilled, the Armenian-Iranian relations will further develop. In connection with the Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement M. Mottaki said that Iran has presented its position to the Armenian and Azeri authorities. In his words, Iran is ready to assist to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict's peaceful settlement, which was approved by both Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is one of the problems, which, according to M. Mottaki, can be settled only "by laying one brick on another to make a complete building." The Iranian Foreign Minister also said that the Assembly of Economic Cooperation Countries was held lately in Iran, and Azerbaijan also took part in it. The Assembly adopted a declaration on conflicts, which mentions that regional conflicts should be settled in a peaceful way and through negotiations. The Iranian-American relations were also touched upon at the press conference. The Iranian Foreign Minister said that Iran expects a practical manifestation of the new policy from the new American administration. As to the question of whether Iran is ready for direct negotiations with America, M. Mottaki said that they "are waiting to see what practical changes will be made in the U.S. policy."

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