South Caucasus must play leading role in resolving regional issues Statement by Azerbaijani President’s rep

Azerbaijani President’s Representative on Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov has said that during the ministerial meeting in Tehran on October 23, the 3+3 meeting participants came to a consensus that the regional countries should play a leading role in resolving regional issues.

“The meeting participants intend to strengthen their involvement in shaping the future of this strategically important region. In this sense, it is natural that the South Caucasus opposes extra-regional players’ harmful external interference in the regional situation. Proceeding from their selfish domestic political considerations and interests, extra-regional players try to impose their own opinions on the South Caucasus, which, unfortunately, only exacerbate tension in the region and thus undermine the prospects for achieving long-term peace there,” Amirbayov told BBC radio, Report informs.

Amirbayov reminded that the idea of establishing a consultative regional platform was put forward by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev immediately after the end of the Second Karabakh War.

“The purpose of this initiative is to use the existing solid potential for active regional cooperation and practical interaction among three countries of the South Caucasus and their closest neighbouring countries - Türkiye, Russia and Iran in such promising spheres as trade, transport, energy security, culture, science, etc.,” the president’s representative stressed.

He noted that France abuses its leading role in such international institutions as the UN Security Council, the European Union, the European Parliament and even the International Organisation of La Francophonie, and this is clearly demonstrated in relation to Azerbaijan.

“By constantly promoting biased, one-sided and openly anti-Azerbaijani initiatives, Paris, alas, becomes a hostage to its internal political agenda and thus undermines not only its authority but also the reputation of the European Union as a possible mediator in normalisation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan ties,” he added.

Amirbayov also commented on the mass supplies of weapons and equipment to Armenia by France.

“France has chosen the path of confrontation and further militarisation of the South Caucasus, completely ignoring the dangerous and rather predictable consequences of its policy for peace and security in the region,” he added.