Diplomat: Russia remains interested in continuing contacts in `3+3`  format on South Caucasus

ArmInfo. Russia remains interested in continuing contacts in the "3+3" format on the South Caucasus and hopes for the platform's full operation to resume as  soon as possible. Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Fourth Department  of the CIS Countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated this in  an interview with TASS.

He noted that the "3+3" format, which includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Iran, and Turkey, serves as "an important tool for establishing cooperation between the  South Caucasus states and their immediate neighbors based on the  principle of 'regional responsibility.'" At the same time, Kalugin  noted that for a number of objective reasons, one of which is the  situation surrounding Iran, there has been "some pause" in organizing  the next ministerial meeting in the "3+3" format.

"However, interest in continuing contacts remains. We look forward to  the platform's full-fledged operation as soon as possible,"  emphasized the director of the fourth CIS department.

The diplomat clarified that the principle of regional responsibility  lies in coordinating "mutually beneficial and promising projects that  meet the interests of all regional players; decisions are made  without external pressure, without an 'agenda' imposed by outside  forces."

"The point is to avoid creating dividing lines and not to work to the  detriment of any country in the region." "Only on this basis can we  truly ensure security and economic prosperity, as well as genuine and  lasting peace in the South Caucasus," he explained.

Kalugin also recalled that the founding meeting of the "3+3" platform  took place in Moscow in December 2021, with Azerbaijan and Turkey  initiating the format. "In October 2023, the foreign ministers held a  joint meeting in Tehran." "At the ministerial meeting in Istanbul in  October 2024, an agreement was reached to begin discussing specific  issues of cooperation in the areas of transport, energy, and  culture," he continued.

In this regard, the Director of the Fourth Department of the CIS  countries noted that active preparations are currently underway to  launch an expert "track" for "discussing key and problematic issues  in the activities of the 'three plus three' with the participation of  leading political scientists from participating countries, including  Georgia."

Speaking generally about the South Caucasus, he recalled that Russia  is a Caucasian power and is closely linked to processes in the  region, making the South Caucasus vitally important to it.

"Our interests stem from the fact that Russia is not just a neighbor,  but is itself a Caucasian power. We have the closest historical and  cultural ties with all the states in the region. We have established  allied relations with four of the five republics. For each of the  South Caucasus countries, Russia is the main or one of the main  trading partners. Significant transport arteries for us pass through  the region. The state of affairs in the North Caucasus largely  depends on how events unfold on the other side of the ridge. In  short, the South Caucasus is vitally important to us," the diplomat  said.

According to him, Russia's fundamental interest lies in developing  the region, unlocking its economic potential, and creating a "belt of  stability and peace" there. "What contributes to the region's  prosperity also contributes to Russia's well-being. This is the  simple logic of our actions. Following this logic, we consistently  oppose armed conflicts in the region, support the lifting of  blockades, and vigorously work to build a common architecture of  regional connectivity so that each country can take advantage of its  geographical location. We want the economy of the South Caucasus to  breathe freely. This is beneficial for us," Kalugin emphasized.

"That is precisely why, in 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin  made personal efforts to end the bloodshed between Azerbaijan and  Armenia. The foundations of the peace process between Baku and  Yerevan were also laid at that time. The process has already gone  through several phases, but it remains consistent with the roadmap  developed based on the agreements reached by the leaders of Russia,  Azerbaijan, and Armenia in 2020-2022," the Foreign Ministry  department director stated.