Ilham Aliyev: 3+3 format should become equal six-party cooperation

The 3+3 format in the South Caucasus should represent a fully-fledged, equal six-party cooperation and not degenerate into another Minsk Group, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, Olaylar informs.

According to the head of state, Azerbaijan proposed this format as a mechanism for post-conflict interaction aimed at achieving a complete settlement and the final restoration of the countrychr("39")s sovereignty.

"At the time we put forward this initiative, part of Karabakh was still under occupation," he said.

He noted that as events unfolded and the system of alliances between the countries of the South Caucasus and with external powers shifted, Azerbaijanchr("39")s assessment of this cooperation format also changed.

"Today, at this stage, it is important for this to be a fully-fledged six-party cooperation. Until Georgia joins, it will be at least five-party, but with a very clear agenda. It is important that this mechanism not turn into another Minsk Group, dealing exclusively with Azerbaijani-Armenian issues," Ilham Aliyev noted, emphasizing that the format should encompass issues from the entire region, including Russia, Iran, Türkiye, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, "on the basis of equality."

This is precisely the concept that Azerbaijan currently views as its primary one, he noted.

"If a similar approach is adopted in other capitals, then I think holding a five-party meeting, at least at the level of foreign ministers, will be in demand," the Azerbaijani president added.