Meeting In Brussels Is Another Attempt To Drag South Caucasus Into Geopolitical Confrontation - Russian MFA

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 5. The meeting inBrussels is another attempt to drag the South Caucasus into ageopolitical confrontation, Russian Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

“We consider the high-level meeting in the Armenia-US-EU formatheld in Brussels on April 5, 2024 as another attempt by the“collective West” to drag the South Caucasus into a geopoliticalconfrontation. Irresponsible and destructive interference ofextra-regional forces in the affairs of the South Caucasus, thedesire to drive a wedge between the countries of the region andtheir neighbors could result in the most negative consequences forstability, security and economic development in the region, provokethe emergence of new dividing lines, as well as an uncontrollableincrease in tension,” the statement said.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the West wants toturn Armenia into an instrument for the implementation of itsextremely dangerous plans in the South Caucasus.

“We know that Washington and Brussels – under ephemeral promises– are seeking Armenia's withdrawal from the CSTO and the EAEU, thewithdrawal of the Russian military base and border guards. We callon the leadership in Yerevan not to allow the West to deceiveitself and lead the country along the wrong path, which is fraughtwith the emergence of a security vacuum, serious problems in theeconomy and outflow of population,” the statement said.

The department emphasized that the volumes of grant supportannounced in Brussels cannot be compared with the multi-billiondollar benefits that Armenia continues to receive from interactionwith Moscow and within the EAEU and the CIS.

“It is these factors that in recent years have ensured amultiple increase in trade turnover (four times since 2018) and, asa result, record economic growth and an increase in the well-beingof the population. We confirm our commitment to comprehensivelydeepen and expand relations with Armenia on the principlesenshrined in the fundamental bilateral documents and agreementsthrough common integration associations. We are convinced that theprogressive development of the Russian-Armenian alliance willcontribute to the realization of the fundamental interests of thepeoples of Russia and Armenia, strengthening regional security andstability,” Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The department said that the West is also not abandoningattempts to destroy the fundamental basis of theArmenian-Azerbaijani normalization - a set of trilateral statementsby the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan for 2020-2022,providing for measures to unblock transport and economic ties,delimit the border, prepare a peace treaty, strengthen trustthrough contacts of social activists and experts.

“It was under pressure from Washington and Brussels thatofficial Yerevan suspended the implementation of these agreements,on many of which, in particular on the issue of lifting the mutualtransport blockade, the parties were close to mutually acceptablesolutions. Moscow remains ready to assist in every possible way inachieving the long-awaited peace between Azerbaijan andArmenia.

Problematic issues of both a regional and bilateral nature inthe South Caucasus must be resolved in accordance with theprinciple of regional responsibility, agreed upon during the secondmeeting of the“3+3” Consultative Platform on October 23, 2023 inTehran, of which Armenia was also a participant. We urge externalsides to respect these agreements, and the authorities in Yerevan,when building their foreign policy line, to take into account theconcerns of neighboring states,” Russian Foreign Ministry said.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, theHigh Representative and Vice-President of the EU Josep Borrell, USSecretary of State Antony Blinken, the head of USAID Samantha Powerand the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyanmet on April 5 in Brussels.

Among other things, following the meeting, it was stated thatthe EU will put forward a Sustainability and Growth Plan forArmenia for the period 2024-2027 worth 270 million euros.

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