ArmInfo.Russia is intensively working to overcome the conflict potential accumulated in the South Caucasus. This is stated in the response of the Russian Foreign Ministry to a question received at a press conference following the results of the activities of Russian diplomacy in 2022.
Thus, in response to a request to outline Russia's strategic plan in the Transcaucasus and Moscow's goals in this region for a five-year period, the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that Moscow is connected with the Transcaucasian republics by a common history, spiritual and cultural closeness, and strong bonds of friendship between peoples.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that Russia, which directly borders the South Caucasus, is interested in the stability and prosperity of this region, the mutually beneficial use and disclosure of its transport, logistics, trade, investment, and technological opportunities.
"The efforts of our diplomacy are aimed at this. We are intensively working to overcome the conflict potential accumulated in the region. In this regard, one of the priority tasks is the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. The statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia dated November 9, 2020, January 11, November 26, 2021 and October 31, 2022, serve as the foundation. We are convinced that the success of the process depends entirely on strict adherence to these tripartite agreements," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.
The ministry added that, more broadly, Moscow remains committed to existing and emerging multilateral negotiation formats.
"We are ready to continue constructive interaction within the framework of the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the Transcaucasus, ensuring a direct equal dialogue between Georgia and Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We aim to promote the work of the 3+3 Consultative Regional Platform launched in December 2021 (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, as well as Russia, Iran and Turkey).
We consider this platform, where it is planned to focus on practical issues of strengthening cooperation in the interests of regional players, useful and timely," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.
Regarding the issue of normalizing relations between Ankara and Yerevan, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that it was under Russian auspices that this undertaking was launched in January 2022, when special representatives of Armenia R. Rubinyan and Turkey S. Kilic met for the first time in Moscow.
"We maintain close contact with both of them today. We welcome the latest developments that open up prospects for the restoration of Armenian-Turkish ties, which will contribute to further improvement of the regional situation," the Russian Foreign Ministry concluded.