Tuesday, February 6 2024 19:46

ArmInfo.The 3+3 regional platform is intended to resolve problems existing between countries  in the region. Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani stated on February 6 at a press conference in Yerevan, referring to the activities of the platform.

He also admitted that there were countries (Georgia, ed.  note) that  did not join the work of this platform.  However, he is convinced  that if tangible results are achieved within this format, the  remaining countries will show interest in it and want to join. "Such  is the position of Iran, and taking into account that existing  problems affect, first of all, the countries of the region, they  should make efforts to eliminate them," Sobhani said.

At the same time, he expressed his belief that this platform will be  successful if its participants truly want peace and stability for the  region. Adding that at one time the OSCE Minsk Group did not achieve  success, since conflict resolution was not a priority for it, due to  the fact that in the event of negative developments in the situation,  the co-chairing countries would not have suffered in any way.

Sobhani also admitted that Iran is making sure that real peace is  established around Armenia. "If the countries of the region take the  path of competition, this will hinder, first of all, their security.  Security is a single complex that cannot be fragmented," he said,  emphasizing that the only correct path to follow is the path of  economic development rather than escalating the situation.

When asked whether Iran would intervene if Azerbaijan tries to gain  an extraterritorial corridor through the Syunik region of Armenia by  force, the Iranian Ambassador recalled that Tehran's position on this  issue has always been very clear. "The opening of transport routes  must be carried out on the basis of respect for the sovereignty and  jurisdiction of the country through which these routes will pass. I  would like to emphasize once again that Tehran is against changing  borders and against geopolitical changes. And we have demonstrated  from both a military and political point of view, that we will not  tolerate such changes.  And what our behavior will be on the  territory of Armenia depends on the Armenian government," he added.  The diplomat also noted that with the implementation of the  "Crossroads of Peace" project of the Armenian government, it will  become possible to connect Armenia and Iran by rail. In conclusion,  he once again emphasized that Iran considers its relations with  Armenia to be on a strategic basis. At the same time, he wondered why  others threaten Armenia? "If you were strong, would anyone dare to  threaten you? I am sure that the key to peace in the region is the  balance of power. And if Armenia is strong, no one will dare to  threaten it," the Ambassador concluded.

The second meeting of 3+3the regional platform was held on October 23  in Tehran. It was decided to hold the third meeting in Turkiye. At  the second meeting, the foreign ministers, taking into account the  importance of developing relations based on mutual interests and good  neighborliness between countries, emphasized the importance of  peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for sovereignty, political  independence, territorial integrity, the inviolability of  internationally recognized borders, non-interference in internal  affairs, the prohibition of threats or use of force, the importance  of respect for human rights based on all principles of the UN  Charter. 

Considering the importance of developing relations based on mutual  interests and neighborliness between countries, at the second  meeting, the foreign ministers emphasized the importance of peaceful  resolution of disputes, respect for sovereignty, political  independence, territorial integrity, the inviolability of  internationally recognized borders, non-interference in internal  affairs, the prohibition of threats or use of force, the importance  of respect for human rights based on all principles of the UN  Charter. 

The meeting in Tehran was attended by the heads of the foreign  ministries of Armenia, Iran, Russia, Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The  Georgian side did not participate in the meeting.

Turkiye  was the first to come forward with the proposal to establish  a regional 3+3 format. After the Second Karabakh War, official Ankara  proposed to establish a new platform for discussing the prospects and  problems of the region with the participation of the three states of  the South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia) and their three  large neighbors - (Turkey, Russia and Iran). The first meeting of the  regional platform at the level of deputy foreign ministers of  Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey and Iran was held in Moscow in  December 2021.

Earlier, official Yerevan announced that issues that have already  been agreed upon or are being discussed on other platforms will not  be discussed in the 3+3 format.