Expert: Launch of 3+3 platform to stimulate regional economic development

The launch of the regional cooperation platform in the 3+3 format will serve as a powerful stimulus for the economic development of the South Caucasus region, Russian pundit, director of the Center for Political Research Sergei Markov told Report.

"The 3+3 format is primarily an economically oriented agreement. The restoration of transport routes is very important and will serve as a powerful stimulus for economic development for the countries of the region and is a contribution to the development of Eurasia," the pundit said.

The pundit noted that the regional mechanism 3+3, put forward by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey, is very promising not only from the point of view of the development of transport routes but also for the implementation of large-scale energy and tourism projects.

Markov noted that the launch of the 3+3 platform can also contribute to the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia.

The first meeting of the regional cooperation platform for the South Caucasus is taking place in Moscow today. The meeting is attended by the deputy foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Armenia.

The initiative to create a platform for regional cooperation in the 3+3 format (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, Russia, and Iran) was put forward by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Georgia refused to participate in the meeting.