Baku: 3+3 format should tackle problems of all participating states

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to the “3+3” regional consultation platform, stressing that the format should address the concerns of all participating states rather than focus solely on Azerbaijani-Armenian issues.

Aykhan Hajizada, Head of the Press Service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, told local media that Baku was among the key initiators of the “3+3” platform and continues to support holding the next meeting in this format.

“As is known, Azerbaijan is the main initiator of the regional consultation platform ‘3+3’. Three meetings have already been held within the framework of the mechanism established on December 10, 2021 – in Moscow, Tehran, and Istanbul. At the last meeting held last October in Istanbul, we tried to include in the final document a provision on the consistent organisation of the next meetings by Azerbaijan and Armenia, but the Armenian side opposed it. We believe that the next meeting should be held in Azerbaijan,” Hajizada said.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman underlined that thorough preparation and the formation of a comprehensive agenda for the upcoming meeting remain crucial. “In addition, it has been repeatedly emphasised that the platform is designed not only to discuss Azerbaijani-Armenian issues or issues of the South Caucasus: it should cover the problems of all participating countries. This is what this mechanism was created for,” he added.

Hajizada also reiterated Azerbaijan’s concern over the activities of the European Union mission in Armenia, noting that its operations contradict the agreements reached between Baku and Yerevan.

“Contrary to its stated goals of promoting regional stability and building confidence between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the mission was actually used as a tool of anti-Azerbaijani propaganda,” he said.

He further noted that this issue prompted Azerbaijan to ensure that a key provision in the text of the peace agreement prohibits the deployment of third-party forces along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border.

“By third-party forces, we mean, among others, the European Union mission. Our position is known to Armenia. We hope that after the signing of the peace treaty, Armenia will fulfil its obligations in this issue,” Hajizada added.

By Tamilla Hasanova