TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) – Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said on Monday that security in the Caucasus could not be separated from security in the Caspian Sea.

Addressing the 11th International Conference on Central Asia and the Caucasus, Kharrazi stressed the active role of Iran in maintaining security and stability in the southern Caucasus.

Kharrazi said security in the Caucasus is not separable from developments in the Caspian Sea and security in the Caspian Sea is coupled with Iran’s national security.

Through an active cooperation with their neighbors and assistance from the United Nations and other international organizations, the southern Caucasian states can provide security in the region, the Iranian top diplomat said.

After the breakup of the Soviet Union and the emergence of new republics many new geo-strategic and geopolitical developments have taken place in the Iranian northern borders which have created a new ambience for giving shape to Iran’s international relations, Kharrazi told the gathering.

Iran enjoys great historical and cultural commonalities with these newly established republics, which would give impetus to regional cooperation, he noted.

Kharrazi said the promotion of economic and political ties among the regional states instead of inviting foreigners to the region would contribute to development and security in the region. Iran Warns about the Presence of U.S. Forces in Caucasus Region

Kharrazi also warned about the presence of U.S. forces in the Caucasus and said the regional countries’ awareness is very important for preventing it from happening.

Kharrazi told reporters on the sidelines of the conference that the regional states should no allow their lands to be used by a foreign state.

Kharrazi said the U.S. is trying hard to find a foothold in the Caucasus region which has negative repercussions for the regional states.

He said the United Nations can contribute to regional cooperation but when a foreign force is involved it only seeks its own interests and which would not necessarily bring about security.

On the purpose behind the holding of such conference he said many great developments have taken place in the region which would necessitate an effort by neighboring states establish security in the Caucasus region.

Iran has always been trying to maintain peace and security in the region with the help of other regional states and the holding of such a conference would provide an opportunity for experts from different countries to find a suitable solution to the problem.