Armenia: "3+2" mustn't copy platforms with conflict settlement mandates

PanARMENIAN.Net - Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahe Gevorgyan on Friday, December 10 participated in the first meeting aimed at establishing a regional consultative platform in Moscow. Grigoryan reiterated Armenia's position and stressed that the platform must refrain from duplicating other international platforms, including those with conflict settlement mandates.

The proposed regional platform, initially dubbed "3+3", was supposed to serve as a cooperation mechanism between Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey. However, Georgia has already opted out of it, and the mechanism is now referred to as "3+2".

"The agenda of the regional consultative platform should be aimed at creating a mutually beneficial and comprehensible agenda of regional cooperation," the Foreign Ministry cited Grigoryan as saying.

The scope of possible regional cooperation was discussed at the meeting, including the issues with regards to economy, transport, culture and humanitarian spheres. An agreement was reached to continue the consultations based on respect for the rights and inclusiveness of all countries in the region.