Russia advocates for regional-led peace process under 3+3 framework

The situation in the South Caucasus is showing signs of improvement, and it is essential to resume the work of the consultative regional group under the “3+3” platform to further advance the peace process, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said.

“In general, the situation in the South Caucasus tends to improve. At the same time, we proceed from the fact that the peace process should have primarily regional dimensions. In this context, it is important to resume the work of the consultative-regional group of the 3+3 platform,” Shoigu stated at the 13th meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the CIS member states in Moscow.

He stressed that unblocking transportation and communication routes in the region remains a priority, recalling that an agreement on this matter had already been reached within the framework of the trilateral working group.

The 3+3 platform—proposed in 2020 by Türkiye and supported by Russia—is a regional cooperation mechanism bringing together the three South Caucasus countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia) and their three neighbouring states (Russia, Türkiye, and Iran).

The initiative is designed to foster dialogue and cooperation in areas such as transport, trade, energy, and security, and to address regional issues without external interference.

Georgia, however, has so far declined to participate due to its strained relations with Russia following the 2008 conflict, while the other five countries have expressed support for continuing discussions within the platform.

By Tamilla Hasanova