Aliyev says 3+3 format should address issues concerning the entire region

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said he believes the 3+3 cooperation format, involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey, should address issues affecting the entire region.

“I believe that at this stage it is important for this to become a full-fledged six- or five-party cooperation format. We know that Georgia has not joined due to a very clear agenda. It should not become another Minsk Group, an umbrella platform dealing with issues specific to Azerbaijan and Armenia. No, we should address the issues of the entire region — Russia, Iran, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Aliyev said.

According to the Azerbaijani leader, Baku considers this concept fundamental.

“If the same understanding exists in other capitals, I believe that a five-party meeting, at least at the level of foreign ministers, would be in demand,” Aliyev added.