Georgian Foreign Minister did not rule out Tbilisi`s participation  in "3 + 3" format

ArmInfo.It will be difficult for Georgia to participate in the "3 + 3" format together with Russia, but nevertheless, the country should be represented at least  in some form in major geopolitical projects. Thus, Deputy Prime  Minister and Foreign Minister of Georgia David Zalkaliani commented  on the statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who  proposed a "3 + 3"  regional cooperation format with the  participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia on the one hand and  Iran, Russia and Turkey on the other.

"Of course, when we do not see any processes in the direction of  de-occupation, it is very difficult to participate in such a format  and talk about some kind of infrastructure projects. Nevertheless, I  want to provide the public with such a position to think- we should  be represented at least in some form in these large geopolitical  projects and relations, of course, not at the expense of state  interests and some concessions to the occupier, "Zalkaliani said.

The Georgian Foreign Minister stressed that the sovereignty and  territorial integrity of the country is a "red line".

"We need to keep up with the processes that are developing in the  region and necessarily participate in all new, even infrastructure  projects that can bypass Georgia, because of which the country may  lose its role and function. Therefore, it is important to have a  clear position in this case so that the interests of our country do  not suffer, "Zalkaliani said, Georgia News reports.

Recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a press  conference with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said  that an initiative "to create a  "3 + 3" format: three Transcaucasian  countries and their three large neighbors - Russia, Iran and Turkey,"  was discussed

Lavrov noted that Iran has a positive attitude towards this  initiative, as do Turkey and Azerbaijan. He noted that the Russian  Federation is working with Armenian colleagues. According to him, the  Russian side expects that Georgia, despite the problems it is  experiencing, will be able to see its interest in creating such a  mechanism.

Georgia ended diplomatic relations with Russia after Moscow  recognized the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August  26, 2008.