ArmInfo. The countries of the South Caucasus must work together with their immediate neighbors must solve all the problems in the region. Sergey Lavrov, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated this on January 14 during a year-end press conference in response to a question about how Armenia's close ties with the EU and the US could affect regional security.
"We will inevitably come to what Russia is talking about today, what Azerbaijan is talking about, what Turkey is talking about. Namely, the countries in the region must work together with their immediate neighbors to solve all the problems. We are all part of a single continent. And, of course, countries that are far from our territory and our traditions must have an understanding of history in a non-colonialist dimension. When they say that they will help you all here, I do not see any issues in terms of contacts. But when they say that the EU mission will ensure security in the Syunik region, for example, I do not really understand this," said Russia's top diplomat. In this regard, he noted that this is exactly why Russia supported the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to create a "3+3" mechanism - including three South Caucasian countries and their three neighbors. Lavrov also mentioned that the first contacts have already been made.
"The Georgian friends have not yet taken the seat reserved for them, but they are always welcome at the negotiating table, where we will discuss region's problems. I believe this format is more productive. Even now I have heard as well that Armenia and Azerbaijan have practically agreed on a draft peace treaty, and it is clear that there are two remaining issues. It is difficult to avoid. We must decide: either yes or no. And this where the European Commission, the EU immediately start saying: we will come now and help you," Lavrov shrugged. Then he emphasized once again that it is the sovereign decision of Azerbaijan and Armenia to determine where they will sign the document and when they will agree upon it. However, the minister continued, the desire of Brussels and Washington to show that they have done all this once again shows their desire to demonstrate that "you are the master."