Armenia ready to host next "3+3" ministerial meeting

Armenia has confirmed its readiness to host the next ministerial meeting in the ‘3+3’ format, a decision originally announced in 2024.

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed local media of its willingness to hold the upcoming meeting, Caliber.Az reports.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking alongside his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan at a joint press conference, revealed that preparations are underway for the third ‘3+3’ meeting focusing on South Caucasus issues. Lavrov noted that Moscow has proposed holding the upcoming sessions in Baku and Yerevan.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry recalled that during the third advisory platform meeting in Istanbul on October 18, 2024, Armenia expressed its readiness to host the next ministerial gathering.

The ministry added that once the date and venue are finalised, the public will be informed promptly.

To recall, on October 23, 2023, foreign ministers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Türkiye, and Iran gathered in Tehran for the second meeting of the “3+3” regional platform, designed to promote dialogue and cooperation in the South Caucasus. Georgia once again declined to participate, maintaining its position of non-engagement in formats involving Russia, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 war.

The talks brought together Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Azerbaijan’s Jeyhun Bayramov, Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, Türkiye’s Hakan Fidan, and Iran’s former Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Discussions focused on enhancing regional cooperation, deepening economic integration, and advancing transport and trade corridor initiatives.

Participants also addressed the ongoing normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while collectively expressing opposition to Western involvement in regional affairs.

By Aghakazim Guliyev