MFA: Russia can only welcome Azerbaijan-Armenia-Georgia dialogue

A spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova has said that Russia can welcome the trilateral dialogue among Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia if it contributes to the settlement of contradictions in the Caucasus, strengthening stability and security in the region.

Zakharova made the remarks at a briefing on January 10, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Russian media.

“Russian authorities have repeatedly told partners that each country is entitled to participate in those international formats that meet its interests and are not directed against third countries, and also take into account the existing, established balance of power,” the diplomat noted.

“If the plans of Washington and Brussels are visible behind this initiative, which seek to undermine the implementation of the trilateral agreements among the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, then this is a completely different story,” Zakharova said.

She noted that the trilateral agreements are the basis for the normalisation of relations between Baku and Yerevan.

The spokesperson noted that the key processes have been launched as part of this format since 2020 to restore routes, delimit the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, develop a peace treaty, as well as establish contacts among public representatives, experts, and parliamentarians.

As for the formats of dialogue in the South Caucasus, she pointed to the 3+3 consultative-regional platform, which just covers three countries of the South Caucasus, as well as Russia, Türkiye, and Iran.

“This mechanism makes it possible to combine the interests of more regional countries. This should focus on smoothing out the contradictions among them, developing trade, economic, transport, cultural and humanitarian ties, combating common challenges and threats,” Zakharova said.

She reiterated the great potential of the 3+3 platform to support the process of normalising Armenia-Azerbaijan relations.