US State Department on 3+3 format: “outside actors should not try to impose their own agenda on the region”

19-10-2021 11:35:15 Politic

The US Department of State makes comment on the “3+3” platform, which envisages participation of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Iran and Russia.

In written response to the Accent’s request for comment, a State Department Spokesperson said that “outside actors should not try to impose their own agenda on the region.”

“We encourage the countries of the South Caucasus to work together to resolve disputes and to strengthen regional cooperation. While outside actors can play a productive role supporting such efforts, they should not try to impose their own agenda on the region,” the State Department Spokesperson said.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Georgia yesterday. When asked about the “3+3” platform, he said: "As for the 3+3 format, I would like to say that Russia, which occupies 20% of Georgia's territory, should focus on honouring the 2008 ceasefire agreement before talking about any new platform.”

The idea of the six-country (involving Russia, Turkey, Iran as well as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) regional cooperation platform was first voiced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in December 2020.

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