Russia can welcome a tripartite dialogue with the participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, but only if it contributes to the settlement of disagreements in the Caucasus, and strengthening of stability and security in the region. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian foreign ministry, stated about this at Friday’s press briefing.

According to her, Russia has repeatedly told its partners that each and every country has the right to participate in those international formats that correspond to its interests and are not directed against third countries, as well as take into account the existing balance of forces.

"However, if the outlines of Washington and Brussels can be seen behind this initiative, which are trying to disrupt the implementation of the tripartite agreements between the heads of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, then it is a completely different story," added Zakharova.

Also, she noted that the tripartite agreements are the basis for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Within the framework of this format, starting from 2020, key processes have been started toward unblocking regional communications, delimiting the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, developing a peace treaty, as well as establishing connections between representatives of public, expert, and parliamentary circles.

As for the formats in the South Caucasus, Zakharova pointed to the 3+3 consultative-regional platform, which includes the three countries of the South Caucasus, as well as their neighbors Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

"This mechanism makes it possible to combine the interests of a broader range of countries in the region. This should also contribute to the elimination of existing disagreements between them, the development of trade, economic, transport, cultural and humanitarian ties, [and] the fight against shared challenges and threats," said the official representative of the Russian foreign ministry.