Turkish Foreign Minister Asserts South Caucasus Capable of Resolving Regional Issues

ANKARA: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed confidence on Friday in the ability of South Caucasus countries to address and resolve their regional challenges. Speaking at the third meeting of the South Caucasus Regional Cooperation Platform, Fidan emphasized that the nations in the region are well aware of their issues and possess the capacity to solve them independently. According to Kuwait News Agency, Fidan highlighted the origins of the 3+3 platform, which emerged shortly after the second declaration of a cease-fire on November 9, 2020, following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. The primary aim of this platform is to create a forum dedicated to discussing issues pertinent to the South Caucasus. Fidan also addressed the absence of Georgia at the meeting, reassuring that the country holds a permanent place in the platform and is welcome to join whenever it chooses. This meeting witnessed the participation of Foreign Ministers from Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, alongside Turkey. In his speech, Fidan underscored the importance of regional dialogue and cooperation, especially in light of the ongoing conflicts initiated by Israeli occupation in the Middle East, which are in close proximity to the Caucasus. He stated that these conflicts underscore the necessity for enhanced regional collaboration. The 3+3 platform was initiated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, with a focus on establishing enduring peace in the South Caucasus and exploring avenues of cooperation among the involved nations.