US defense chief upbeat on 3+3 cooperation format in South Caucasus

"The South Caucasus countries should bolster regional cooperation," US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is on an official visit to Georgia, said.

Report's local bureau informs that Lloyd also commented on the 3+3 cooperation format: "It would be better for Russia, which has occupied 20 percent of Georgia's territory, to fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement before talking about any cooperation format."