ArmInfo.At the first meeting of the 3 + 3Consultative Regional Initiative in Moscow, all participating countries unanimously expressed their interest in Tbilisi's participation in this platform and agreed that the door for Georgia always remains open.
This was stated on December 24 during a weekly briefing by official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, answering a question about Russia's interaction with the Georgian side, within the framework of the 3 + 3 regional platform, if their representatives still come to Ankara.
"Yes, we saw the statement of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. I would like to note that not only Ankara has expressed its readiness to host the next meeting of the 3 + 3 regional platform. In my opinion, this speaks of a very high interest of all the participants of this platform in the continuation of joint work and the establishment of practical interaction.
At the same time, she stated that the coordination of the venue for the next meeting is being carried out through the foreign ministries, on the basis of the consensus of all participants. "We proceed from the fact that, first of all, it is important to focus on issues that would be of common interest. Among them: the development of economic, transport, cultural and humanitarian ties, the fight against common challenges and threats. And all these areas work to increase confidence in favor of strengthening stability in the region, " Zakharova summed up. On December 10, Moscow hosted the first meeting of 3 + 3 the consultative regional platform under the co- chairmanship of 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 the representatives of Georgia, who were also invited, refrained from participating in the meeting.
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 them are measures to increase confidence, interaction in the trade, economic, transport, cultural and humanitarian fields, countering common challenges and threats. Representatives of five countries expressed interest in joining the work of the platform of Georgia, for which the "door" remains open. " The meeting participants also discussed work plans for the future with "the possible involvement of relevant ministries and departments," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The day before the meeting, the Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement that Georgia would not be represented at the 3 + 3 format meeting.