Azerbaijani FM highlights growing importance of 3+3 platform

The 3+3 regional cooperation format remains an important platform for dialogue, and participating countries should use it to address a broad range of issues of mutual interest, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said.

FM Bayramov made the remarks during an expanded-format meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Highlighting changes in the regional landscape since the initiative was launched, Bayramov said the current situation in the South Caucasus differs significantly from that of 2021.

"In 2021, in the context of the situation in the South Caucasus, we had a different situation and different dynamics. Today, the situation is changing dramatically," Bayramov said.

He noted that three meetings within the framework of the format have already taken place in Moscow, Tehran, and Istanbul, with the latest held in 2024.

"Our position is that following the third meeting in 2024, the Azerbaijani side proposed holding the next meeting in Azerbaijan. We believe that this format remains relevant and important, but the participating countries should discuss the full range of issues representing mutual interest for our countries," Bayramov added.

The 3+3 format, which brings together Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Iran, and Türkiye, was proposed as a regional platform aimed at promoting cooperation and dialogue on security, economic, and political issues in the South Caucasus.

By Vafa Guliyeva