Any hope for progress under 3+3 format regional cooperation?
Expert opinions on Caliber.Az
INTERVIEWS 23 October 2023 - 15:12
Samir Ibrahimov |
On October 23, a joint meeting of the Azerbaijani, Armenian, Georgian, Iranian, Russian and Turkish foreign ministers was to take place in Tehran within the framework of the regional 3+3 format. However, the day before, the Georgian Foreign Ministry in a statement said that its representatives would not visit Tehran. The first meeting in the 3+3 format took place last year in Moscow, also without Georgia’s participation.
Cooperation under the 3+3 format involves the creation of a regional system based on close relationships in many areas. However, this idea has not yet been promoted. Although many believe that there is reason for optimism.
We wonder how truly promising such a platform of cooperation is for creating peaceful relations between all participants and for the development of the region? Well-known experts from regional states shared their opinions on these issues with Caliber.Az.
Associate Professor of the Department of Modern East and Africa under the Russian State University for the Humanities, senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Lana Ravandi-Fadai believes that at present there is reason for optimism and for reviving regional cooperation under the 3+3 format.
“As we know, in September, Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty over the entire territory of the country (within the framework of international law), therefore, one of the most important controversial territorial issues in the Caucasus has been resolved. In addition, the Russian-Turkish and the Turkish-Iranian relations have significantly improved over recent years, and in recent weeks there has been an easing of tensions in Iranian-Azerbaijani relations as well. Armenia, having suffered a heavy defeat, took a more conciliatory position and ready to cooperate with its neighbors,” Ravandi-Fadai added.
As for Georgia's position, first, the ruling Georgian Dream party has a better attitude towards Russia than pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, who was recently accused by the Constitutional Court of violations due to her government-sanctioned trips to the West, which indicates a weakening of the president’s position in the country, the orientalist said.
“Therefore, theoretically, it is possible to soften Georgia’s position in relation to this format. Second, the first meeting under the 3+3 format, which took place in Moscow on December 10, 2021, was without Georgia. Consequently, even in the event of a boycott by Georgia, the next meetings under this format will still be held successfully if the remaining participants agree, which, in my opinion, can be fully counted on in the current situation.
It is worth noting that among the states of the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan is most interested in implementing the format. It is interested in the construction of a road and railway to the allied Türkiye with subsequent access to Europe, as well as for the implementation of other infrastructure projects.
These projects will also contribute to the rapid growth of interaction between the regional countries in infrastructure, trade and economic terms. Since many of these routes will pass through the territory of Armenia, this country will also receive great economic benefits from the transit of goods and services,” the expert is sure.
In turn, the political expert and director of the Center for Islamic Studies of the Caucasus, Shota Aphaidze, assesses the 3+3 format as important for Georgia and other countries in the region.
“Because it can provide so many economic opportunities. Georgia is able to receive very large financial dividends from such a format, because many aspects here will be related to energy resources. Since Georgia does not have its own oil and gas products, it will be able to obtain them through such cooperation at a good price.
“Plus, Georgia is a transit country, and within the framework of 3+3 projects for new railway transportation, land and air routes can be developed. Other economic benefits will appear as Georgia will take part in trade and economic projects with Iran, Türkiye, Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. That is, this is a very important format for the region,” the director of the center is sure. True, it is somewhat hampered by the political aspect concerning the so-called South Ossetia and Abkhazia, he elaborated.
“Personally, my position (like the position of many sensible experts) is that the opening of infrastructure, new routes, including through the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, will help us in terms of rapprochement, restoration of relations, resolution of conflicts with our separatist regions. That is, we should not block, but on the contrary, meet such initiatives halfway, since thanks to their economic, cultural and humanitarian components, it is possible to reintegrate our territories,” Aphaidze says.
As for Armenia, our interlocutor thinks that, in principle, after the acute phase of the confrontation over Karabakh, which lasted 30 years, has ended, it will gradually join the work of the format, especially after Karabakh Armenians, who want to return to their homes calmly, Yerevan and Baku will sign a peace treaty guaranteeing mutual inviolability of borders.
“Then the issue of opening the Zangezur corridor through the territory of Armenia can already be resolved. I believe that this is a purely economic, logistics and infrastructure project. That is, 3+3 is a format that can remove political aspects and restrictions that hinder the implementation of economic projects. And such large countries as Türkiye, Iran and Russia will already cooperate more actively with the three South Caucasian states. And this is good,” the political expert concluded.
Caliber.Az
1
|
700 tunnel shafts found in Rafah, 50 cross into Egypt Israel informs South Africa at UN top court
17 May 2024 - 15:56
|
2
|
Uncertainty over Russian border guard withdrawal from Armenia Amid conflicting statements
18 May 2024 - 14:47
|
3
|
New Caledonia crisis mirrors Macron's hypocrisy on Azerbaijan France faces its own crisis
17 May 2024 - 17:20
|
4
|
France's coercive colonial policies in New Caledonia Hypocrisy, repression, struggle for self-determination
16 May 2024 - 17:29
|
5
|
Political unrest in Armenia & Georgia amid Azerbaijan's rebuilding efforts in Karabakh South Caucasus in flux
16 May 2024 - 17:18
|
Germany's Bundesrat passes gender self-identification law
19 May 2024 - 09:00
Poland to spend over 2.3 bln euros to fortify eastern border
PM says19 May 2024 - 06:30
Kim's sister denies North Korea has supplied weapons to Russia
19 May 2024 - 04:23
Iran hangs two women as surge in executions intensifies: NGO
19 May 2024 - 02:20
US Army’s multidomain task force contributing to AUKUS
19 May 2024 - 00:15
Slovakia at pivotal moment after Robert Fico shooting
18 May 2024 - 22:10
Russia admits it can’t halt nighttime uncrewed surface vessel raids
18 May 2024 - 20:00
Palestinian resistance eliminates 15 Israeli soldiers in Rafah
18 May 2024 - 18:18
Slovak PM’s attacker pleads guilty before court — media
18 May 2024 - 18:08
White House not thrilled by Macron’s D-Day invite to Russia
18 May 2024 - 17:59
Poland to begin construction of Eastern Shield
18 May 2024 - 17:47
Resistance destroys 100 Israeli vehicles in 10 days
18 May 2024 - 17:32
Hungarian FM calls for Azerbaijani delegation's return to PACE
18 May 2024 - 17:17
Ambrey says Panama-flagged oil tanker attacked southwest of Yemen's Mokha
18 May 2024 - 17:02
Pakistan, India issue warnings to students in Kyrgyzstan after mob violence
18 May 2024 - 16:47
New Croatian government receives confidence vote in Zagreb assembly
18 May 2024 - 16:36
Presidential couple attend inauguration, groundbreaking ceremonies in de-occupied territories
18 May 2024 - 16:30
Zelenskyy expects Russia to intensify offensive in northeast Ukraine
18 May 2024 - 16:24
Azerbaijan participates in 79th CISM General Assembly and Congress
18 May 2024 - 16:12
White House: “No surprise” over strengthening Russia-China alliance
18 May 2024 - 16:00
Five activists from Yerevan's revanchist movement released after detention
18 May 2024 - 15:47
China probes agriculture minister for suspected disciplinary violations
18 May 2024 - 15:36
Azerbaijani marine special forces involved in military exercises in Türkiye
PHOTO18 May 2024 - 15:24
German lawmakers suggest allies could protect sky over western Ukraine from NATO soil
18 May 2024 - 15:12
French authorities report sixth fatality in New Caledonia violence
18 May 2024 - 14:59
Uncertainty over Russian border guard withdrawal from Armenia
Amid conflicting statements18 May 2024 - 14:47
Azerbaijan, Iran set to inaugurate Qiz Qalasi hydroelectric complex on Araz River
18 May 2024 - 14:35
Future of nuclear energy: balancing clean power, safety, innovation
Caliber.Az on YouTube18 May 2024 - 14:23
Australia applies sanctions for North Korea arms supply
18 May 2024 - 14:08
US: 30 years for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
18 May 2024 - 13:53
Azerbaijani gas supplies to Europe via TAP surpass 35 billion cubic meters
18 May 2024 - 13:40
US says drone strikes on Russia hurt fuel supplies but not power
18 May 2024 - 13:28
COP29 at crossroads in Azerbaijan with focus on climate finance
Article by The Guardian18 May 2024 - 13:17
Azerbaijan seize Armenian weapons, ammunition in Khankandi, surrounding areas
PHOTO/VIDEO18 May 2024 - 13:03
Azerbaijani Army achieves substantial mine clearance in liberated territories
PHOTO/VIDEO18 May 2024 - 12:50
North Korean president guides tactical missile test with “autonomous navigation”
18 May 2024 - 12:38
Armenia, Netherlands mull bilateral relations, Baku-Yerevan peace treaty
18 May 2024 - 12:26
Azerbaijan sets priorities ahead of COP29
"Green" financing, ESG implementation18 May 2024 - 12:13
Pashinyan visits border village to persuade discontented residents, claims revanchist archbishop
18 May 2024 - 12:03
Gunmen kill three Spanish tourists in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province
18 May 2024 - 12:00