Yesterday, Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Russia Movlut Chavushoglu and Sergey Lavrov met in the city of Antalya, and held talks over the state of bilateral political and economic relations between two countries. Foreign ministers also conducted the exchange of views on the regional issues, such as Syria, Libya, the Mediterranean and the South Caucasus.
After the meeting, Movlut Chavushoglu and Sergey Lavrov made a speech and answered the questions of journalists at the press conference. In their speech, they touched upon the further solution of the Karabakh conflict. Both ministers stressed the importance of the strengthening of peace and stability in the region, as well as coordinating the efforts for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
According to some experts, it is possible that Russia and Turkey as regional countries could play a significant role in the joint activities contributing to the long-lasting peace and prosperity between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Speaking to Eurasia Diary, Orkhan Bagirov, expert of the Centre of Analysis of International Relations, made comments on the functions of Turkey and Russia in ensuring long-term peace, stability and economic development in the South Caucasus.
Orkhan Bagirov believed that the South Caucasus is of special importance for Russia and Turkey in terms of geographical means, as they want to cooperate in the development of region.
“Both Russia and Turkey are in favor of the long-lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus. In this region they have important trade partners and economic interests. Moreover, the countries of the South Caucasus have special importance because of their geographic location as they strengthen the position of Russia and Turkey in the international transportation corridors. The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has prevented the full use of cooperation opportunities for thirty years. After the 44 days war, new opportunities for economic cooperation and development have appeared in the region from which both Turkey and Russia could benefit. Therefore, it is possible that Russia and Turkey as regional countries could play significant role in the joint activities contributing to the long-lasting peace, prosperity and cooperation in the region,” Bagirov noted.
In the press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed one issue that Moscow positively reacted to the proposal of the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan on the establishment of the 3+3 cooperation platform for the development of the region.
According to Baghirov, Moscow and Ankara would contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of the versatile economic cooperation and the opening of regional communications in the South Caucasus with the participation of other regional countries and neighbors.
“The proposed 3+3 cooperation platform is a good opportunity for all regional countries as it serves the strengthening of regional cooperation in the region. Participation of the regional countries in this platform does not mean that they have to share their economic interests. Instead, this platform creates new cooperation opportunities which are beneficial for all regional countries, including Turkey and Russia. As both Turkey and Russia have great economic potential and markets, they could significantly contribute to the strengthening of the economic development and cooperation in the region of the South Caucasus,” he stressed.
Another important issue is that the government of Georgia hasn’t yet demonstrated his intention to join the initiative of the regional cooperation platform. We know that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia has been violated by Russia. For that reason, it is still impossible for Georgia to act together with Russia on one platform. According to some experts, in the event of concessions by Russia based on respect for the territorial integrity of Georgia, it will encourage Tbilisi to take part in the development of the regional cooperation platform.
Touching upon this issue, expert noted that it will depend on the normalization of the relations between Russia and Georgia.
“This platform creates new opportunities for economic cooperation and development in the region. If Georgia will take part in this platform, it will benefit from it and could expand its economic relations with other regional countries. Development of the countries in the region depends on the comprehensive development of the region. Thus, contributing to the development of the regional cooperation platform will subsequently contribute to the development of all regional countries, including Georgia,” he concluded.
by Yunis Abdullayev