Armenia, Azerbaijan Urged to Finalize Peace Deal at Istanbul’s 3+3 Summit

The 3+3 platform, a regional cooperation initiative involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, and Iran, held its latest meeting in Istanbul. The focus of this gathering was to build dialogue and cooperation among South Caucasus countries and neighboring regional powers, with the hope of achieving stability and resolving conflicts. The meeting resulted in the adoption of a joint declaration emphasizing the importance of dialogue, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, and human rights.

The 3+3 platform was created in 2020 following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, driven by Azerbaijan and Turkey, to bring together three South Caucasus countries—Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia—with their larger neighbors—Russia, Turkey, and Iran. The platform aims to address the region’s challenges, promote peace, and enhance economic cooperation through dialogue. While the initiative is still developing, it shows the region’s growing emphasis on multilateral diplomacy to address long-standing tensions.

This recent meeting saw major diplomatic activity and discussions. Topics ranged from security issues to expanding economic ties, such as establishing regional transport corridors. However, one key theme was the ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Russia, Turkey, and Iran proposed using the 3+3 platform as a vehicle to finalize a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, reiterated this proposal during a press conference, stressing that groundwork has already been laid in previous talks and should now be used to settle disputes, including border delimitation and reopening trade routes. Despite these offers, Armenia’s response to Russia's assistance was unclear, showing the country's increasing preference for direct negotiations with Azerbaijan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia has faced domestic criticism for his strategy of engaging directly with Baku without involving Russia as a mediator. Critics argue that this approach benefits Azerbaijan more than Armenia, and concessions may be made in favor of Baku. At the Istanbul meeting, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan avoided directly addressing the peace talks with Azerbaijan, instead focusing on transport links. He highlighted that these links must respect all countries' sovereignty and reciprocity.

Despite Armenia’s reservations about Russian mediation, Turkey and Russia have continued to press for a solution. Lavrov’s comments highlighted Armenia’s preference for dealing directly with Turkey to normalize relations, a process that began in 2022. However, despite agreements to open borders to certain passport holders, there has been little progress in their implementation.

Notably, Georgia has again declined to participate in the 3+3 meeting. Tbilisi has refused to engage in this platform due to its strained relations with Russia, stemming from the latter’s occupation of Georgian territories. Georgia’s stance is significant as the South Caucasus would benefit greatly from its involvement in any regional cooperation initiative. Despite this, Russia has repeatedly emphasized that the “door remains open” for Georgia to join the talks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke at the meeting, stressing the need for peaceful resolution of regional issues. He emphasized diplomacy and politics as the best avenues for solving conflicts. Turkey, which hosted the meeting, also highlighted the importance of regional solutions. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized Turkey's ongoing support for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and reiterated the importance of dialogue within the region.

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, hosted the high-level meeting. Erdoğan has been a key advocate for stronger regional ties and has actively supported the 3+3 platform. The Turkish government hopes that regional cooperation will bring stability to the South Caucasus, a region critical for geopolitical and economic reasons, including the establishment of transport and energy corridors.

The success of the 3+3 platform largely depends on how its participants handle their complex relationships. Armenia and Azerbaijan remain locked in a tense post-war environment, and Georgia’s refusal to join the platform limits its scope. 

The joint declaration adopted at the Istanbul meeting shows the platform’s goal of building a peaceful, cooperative future for the South Caucasus. Yet, the region’s intricate political and territorial disputes mean that significant challenges remain. The path to stability will likely involve continued diplomatic engagement, with the 3+3 platform serving as a critical avenue for dialogue.

In conclusion, the Istanbul meeting of the 3+3 platform marked an important step in the ongoing efforts to resolve conflicts and enhance regional cooperation. Whether this framework will lead to lasting peace in the South Caucasus remains to be seen, but the emphasis on dialogue and respect for sovereignty is a promising foundation.