All participants in inter-regional relations in the Caucasus are trying to maximize their benefits and promote their interests through cooperation with other countries. This approach is natural and reveals the very essence of politics: there are no enemies or friends here either. It’s ‘every man for himself’. However, if there are any opportunities to ignore existing agreements for personal gain, or “stick a stick in the wheel,” either side will agree to do so, which will create certain problems for all participants in the process. To a certain extent, it is possible to project the achievement of these agreements onto the BRICS system. On the one hand, it is generally accepted that members of the same union or alliance cannot have any contradictions or disputes. Nevertheless, practice proves the opposite. For example, everyone is trying to get into BRICS, Turkey has already applied. But at the same time, how will Erdogan simultaneously cooperate with the BRICS countries and with the West and the United States within the framework of NATO? One contradicts the other, and Ankara will have to assume certain obligations. Sitting on two chairs won’t work. You’ll have to choose one or the other. The same applies to cooperation with Moscow.
By increasing the level of cooperation, Russia is “updating” its partnerships with the South Caucasian countries in accordance with modern realities. In the context of the confrontation with the West and its attempts to “squeeze” Russia out of the South Caucasus, expanding the foundations of cooperation seems to be a far-sighted step. The last document to prove it is the Declaration signed with Azerbaijan. As well as the new comprehensive cooperation agreement with Iran. Russian Leader Vladimir Putin’s visit to Baku on August 19, 2024 has demonstrated the high level and fullness of Russian-Azerbaijani relations, which was enshrined in the 2022 Declaration. In a multilateral format, Russian policy is based on comprehensive support for formats aimed at the development of the region (the North—South Transport Corridor and Crossroads of the World trade routes).
Moscow promotes a unifying agenda through the BRICS and SCO formats. The countries of the region are systematically involved in multilateral processes: Iran is a member of both associations, Turkey has expressed a desire to become a full member of the BRICS and SCO, Azerbaijan has officially applied to join the BRICS, and Azerbaijan has applied to the SCO for observer status in 2024. Armenia received observer status in the SCO in 2024. Cooperation with BRICS is carried out at the non-governmental level. August 8, 2024 The International Forum “New Horizons of cooperation between Armenia and the EAEU with BRICS and SCO” was held in Yerevan. One of the outcomes of the event was the establishment of the Armenia—BRICS Business Cooperation Center, which aims to promote Armenian business in the BRICS countries. The 3+3 platform can become a new level in the chain of multilateral relations for Moscow.
As the regional logistics agenda is expanded, the importance of the 3+3 platform as a tool for cementing points of contact is increasing. Strategically, the 3+3 format is a promising platform for addressing pressing issues without involving external actors. The platform is a point of concentration of the interests of regional players, which is why its effectiveness is extremely high, and Yerevan’s desire to indirectly involve the countries of Europe and the United States in this process contradicts the interests of the other participants of the platform and, in the author’s opinion, cannot be realized in the future.
It is possible that the format will become a platform for the competition of interests of Turkey, Russia and Iran. Despite the differences in the countries’ views on “filling the future” of the region, the focus of the initiative to unite the countries of the region is shared by all countries. There remains a consensus among the South Caucasian countries to avoid the involvement of Western countries in the region’s affairs. Strengthening Armenia’s ties with the EU and the United States does not receive the support of its neighbors, but the modern period seems to be the most successful in order to increase the representativeness of the regional format as opposed to the European vector. The political factor is on the same scale as economic expediency. The willingness of the parties to resolve contradictions in the diplomatic field will increase the format’s chances of success in the short and long term. A negative scenario in the form of resolving issues “by the right of the strong” negates the efforts of Turkey or Iran to create a new negotiation format. It is important to take into account the internal political climate of the South Caucasus Six and focus on strategic issues of interest to each side. At the moment, these are the creation of a logistics infrastructure. This will allow states to build a new promising foundation for cooperation and integrate their initiatives into the global logistics agenda.
That is why it is necessary to continue developing this format. Its uniqueness will make it possible to focus the discussion not so much on some global issues as on local and regional issues. There are a sufficient number of organizations that, at a fairly high level, with the broadest representation of States, are trying to discuss issues that have nothing to do with their real interests. Even the UN has become a fiction. However, organizations like the 3+3 platform can establish a new format of interaction not so much between countries as within a single region, which will create the basis for a more constructive and detailed dialogue.
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