FM: EU trying to oust Russia from Transcaucasus

The European Union (EU) is trying to oust Russia from the Transcaucasus, creating obstacles to cooperation between Moscow, Baku, and Yerevan.

The remarks came from the Director of the fourth department of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry Denis Gonchar on September 14, according to Izvestia.Ru.

“Assessments ... of the EU's attempts to intervene in our trilateral work with Baku and Yerevan have already been given by [Russian Foreign Minister] Sergei Lavrov and Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova. It is noteworthy that the activation of Brussels ... occurred amidst ... the sanctions campaign and the termination of joint work through the OSCE Minsk Group,” he noted in a conversation with RIA Novosti.

Gonchar said that, however, any "geopolitical games" aimed to achieve this goal will remain ineffectual.

He also added that the main priority of Russia in the Transcaucasus is to achieve and maintain a safe environment in the region.