Russia would welcome Baku-Yerevan-Tbilisi dialogue, but on one condition

YEREVAN, February 10. /ARKA/. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today Moscow would welcome a Baku-Yerevan-Tbilisi dialogue if it contributes to the resolution of controversies in the South Caucasus, strengthens stability and security in the region.

EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis Georgia Toivo Klaar said earlier this week in Tbilisi that EU supports Georgia's desire to mediate the rapprochement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"It is very important that all three South Caucasus countries work together and contribute to peace. Georgia's role as a bridge between Armenia and Azerbaijan is very important,' Klaar said at a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

"Every state has the right to participate in international formats, which meet its interests, which are not directed against third countries and take into account the existing balance of power. If the trilateral dialogue Baku-Yerevan-Tbilisi will help resolve the disagreements in the South Caucasus Moscow would only welcome it," Zakharova said at a press briefing.

'But if this initiative is being promoted by Washington and Brussels, which seek to undermine the implementation of the trilateral statements made by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, then it is a completely different story,' Zakharova said.

"I would like to remind that the statements made by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan make the basis for the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan. Starting in 2020, key processes were launched as part of this format to reopen transport links, start delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, develop a peace treaty, as well as establish contacts between representatives of public, expert and parliamentary circles of both countries," Zakharova said. -0-