
Today there are serious problems in the Caucasus, which are expressed in two formats: "Armenia and Azerbaijan" and "Azerbaijan and Iran". It is difficult
to solve these problems, but they are being solved, and above all
with the assistance of Russia.
This was stated by Vladimir Sazhin, a
senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian
Academy of Sciences, during the Moscow-Tehran video bridge on the
topic: "South Caucasus: interests of Russia and Iran." "But, I think
that the way out of the situation is 3+3 regional platform,
including Russia, Iran and Turkey, on the one hand, and Georgia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan, on the other, where countries will conduct a
dialogue on pressing issues, and will do it carefully," the expert
said.
In the current conditions, he considers the launch of the North-South
transport corridor, which has been updated over the last 20 years, to
be important for Russia. "Practically all participants in the
Caucasian reality are interested in this corridor. And on the basis
of economic benefits, all economic ties can be brought through this
3+3 platform," Sazhin believes.
In turn, Iranian expert on the issues of the Caucasus region and
Central Asia Fardin Eftekhari, referring to the processes around
Nagorno-Karabakh, expressed his conviction that Azerbaijan would not
extend the mandate of Russian peacekeepers in the region after the
end of the 5-year term.
At the same time, he recalled that the tripartite statement dated
November 9, 2020 notes that Russia is the guarantor of ensuring
unhindered passage through the Lachin corridor.
At the same time, the expert is convinced that today Azerbaijan is
not interested in regional peace. "Now a real human tragedy is
unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan's actions indicate that it
is not interested in regional peace," he said.
Eftekhari believes that Russia's passivity under the current
conditions undermines confidence in it. He is also convinced that
non-regional countries are trying to undermine regional peace,
including by pushing Azerbaijan and Iran against their foreheads.
"Iran is very patient. We saw that Tehran showed restraint, despite
Azerbaijan's unacceptable actions around Nagorno-Karabakh," he noted,
adding that Iran's patience is not unlimited, and advised not to
provoke the Iranian side.
Eftekhari believes that if the ambitions of Turkey and Azerbaijan in
the South Caucasus are not stopped, then Russia will be forced out of
this region. The expert also stressed the importance of increasing
the number of Russian peacekeepers in the region
In conclusion, he noted that the only way to establish peace in the
region is the 3+3 platform. It should be noted that on December 10,
2021, the first meeting of the 3+3 consultative regional platform was
held in Moscow, co-chaired by the Deputy Foreign Ministers of the
Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and the Director
General of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The Russian Foreign Ministry
noted that representatives of Georgia, who were also invited,
refrained from participating in the meeting.
Then the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that during the meeting
the prospects for the development of multifaceted regional
cooperation were discussed. "It was agreed to focus the work of the
platform on practical issues of interest to all its participants.
Among these are confidence-building measures, cooperation in trade,
economic, transport, cultural and humanitarian fields, countering
common challenges and threats. Representatives of five countries
expressed interest in joining the work of the Georgian platform, for
which the "door" remains open". The meeting participants also
discussed future work plans with "possible involvement of relevant
ministries and departments," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a
statement. Yesterday the meeting, the Georgian Foreign Ministry
issued a statement that Georgia would not be represented at the 3+3
meeting
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