The "3+3" Cooperation Mechanism in the South Caucasus: Regional Countries Seek Independent Solutions to Development Challenges

The "3+3" cooperation mechanism in the South Caucasus is quietly driving a geopolitical shift, as regional countries attempt to independently seize the initiative in their development and exclude Western influences.

In September 2025, the "3+3" cooperation mechanism in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Iran, and Turkey) is actively negotiating the date and venue for a new round of meetings.

First proposed by Turkish President Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev, this mechanism aims to ensure lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus. It seeks to bring together countries with diverse political positions but shared interests in the South Caucasus and surrounding regions to form a unique multilateral dialogue platform.

01 Origins and Development of the Mechanism

The "3+3" cooperation mechanism is not new. On December 10, 2021, the first meeting of the "3+3" format for the South Caucasus regional consultation mechanism was held in Moscow. Five countries participated, including two Transcaucasian states (Armenia and Azerbaijan) and three neighboring countries (Russia, Iran, and Turkey).

Georgia, despite being invited, declined to attend. The mechanism's first meeting, held at the deputy foreign minister level, marked the beginning of regional countries' attempts to independently resolve regional issues.

On October 23, 2023, the second "3+3" foreign ministers' meeting was held in Tehran, Iran, with the theme "An Era of Peace, Cooperation, and Progress in the South Caucasus."

At the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian stated that this was a "historic opportunity" for all countries in the region to strengthen cooperation. The meeting aimed to leverage regional capabilities to solve problems, increase collective cooperation, build peace, and achieve economic development and welfare.

02 Current Progress of Consultations and Positions of All Parties

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this development through the media, and previous statements from both Armenia and Russia also indicated that preparations for the meeting were already on the agenda.

In August 2025, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Kostanyan told Iran's IRNA news agency that the agreement to lift the South Caucasus transport blockade opened a new chapter for the "3+3" dialogue, with the next meeting planned to be held in Baku or Yerevan.

Kostanyan emphasized: "This mechanism can provide a convenient platform for discussing regional projects, particularly in the areas of transport and infrastructure connectivity."

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also confirmed at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan that preparations were underway for the third "3+3" foreign ministers' meeting, and that Russia supported alternating hosting in Baku and Yerevan.

Lavrov once noted, "Despite differences, none of the five countries have rejected this format. Regional countries—especially Azerbaijan and Armenia—can still advance cooperation through concrete decisions such as normalizing bilateral relations or opening up transport links."

03 Georgia's Absence and Future Participation Possibility

Georgia has yet to fully participate in the mechanism, which prevents it from achieving full representation. Mammadov, director of the Center for South Caucasus Studies, noted that Russia's initiative to hold the meeting in the capitals of Azerbaijan and Armenia is intended to encourage both countries to attach importance to the mechanism and also reflects the shared position of Russia and Iran.

Turkish-Kazakh politician Manbetalin stated that the "3+3" mechanism, proposed after the Second Karabakh War, aims to exclude Western interference and strengthen regional cooperation in the South Caucasus.

He believes, "This is a pioneering attempt to establish a regular communication mechanism among regional countries, and its necessity is unquestionable." In his view, the mechanism's core goal is to establish channels for dialogue and promote trade connectivity and infrastructure projects.

Georgian analyst Nozadze pointed out that Tbilisi's current non-joining status does not mean it will permanently miss out. "Currently, Georgia-Russia relations are complex, and Russia needs to take significant steps to normalize relations, which will take at least several years. Georgia has set clear conditions for resuming diplomatic relations with Russia, and Moscow is well aware of this."

Nozadze believes, "However, the '3+3' mechanism is extremely important to the region as a whole and to Tbilisi itself, and its operational potential is enormous. It is not ruled out that Georgia may choose to join in the future, even if the issue of territorial integrity has not been resolved, if Russia demonstrates tangible progress rather than empty promises."

04 Regional Security and the Nagorno-Karabakh Issue

A key function of the '3+3' mechanism is to discuss regional security issues, particularly the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Although this enclave is primarily inhabited by ethnic Armenians, it has long been internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan won the 2020 war and recaptured most of Nagorno-Karabakh.

After another battle in September 2023, the entire territory came under the control of the Baku government after months of blockade.

Following the Tehran Conference in October 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was "essentially resolved." He noted, "Both sides agree that Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, which is the main unresolved issue."

Lavrov also acknowledged, "Of course, practical steps remain to fully normalize relations, primarily the preparation of a peace treaty, border demarcation, and the establishment of unimpeded transport and economic ties, as agreed upon at the meeting of the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia."

05 Economic Cooperation and Transport Connectivity

With significant progress in regional dialogue following the Washington Agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, particularly regarding the de-blocking of regional transport and the launch of the Asia-Europe Trans-Border Transport Corridor (TRIPP), the "3+3" mechanism is gaining new momentum.

Economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of transport and infrastructure connectivity, has become a key agenda item for the mechanism. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Kostanyan emphasized that the agreement to lift the South Caucasus transport blockade opens a new chapter for the "3+3" dialogue.

Although Georgia is not directly involved in the new transport route through Armenia, the resulting economic and security issues inevitably involve Georgia, Russia, and other countries.

While the complex relations between Georgia and Russia, and between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, present challenges for negotiations, it is precisely this mechanism, focused on regional economic issues, that lays the foundation for understanding among all parties involved in dialogue on the most challenging issues.

06 Significance in the Global Geopolitical Context

The "3+3" consultation platform was established to address regional issues by including regional countries and excluding external and Western powers. This mechanism reflects the trend of regional countries seeking to independently take the lead in their development.

Experts agree that this mechanism is crucial for regional development. Its particular advantage lies in its ability to bring together countries with different political positions but shared interests in the South Caucasus and surrounding regions, forming an interesting multilateral dialogue framework and even facilitating engagement that would be difficult to achieve through bilateral channels.

Turkish-Kazakh politician Manbetalin noted that direct communication between Turkey, Russia, and Iran can help reduce the risk of military conflict, and that Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia could play a more active role in the region.

Against the backdrop of accelerating restructuring of the global geopolitical landscape, the South Caucasus countries are seeking regional solutions to regional issues through the "3+3" mechanism and reducing their reliance on external forces. This trend deserves close attention.

The future development of the "3+3" cooperation mechanism still faces challenges, particularly the absence of Georgia, which prevents it from being fully representative.

However, regional countries have recognized that, despite differences, establishing channels for dialogue through the mechanism and promoting trade connectivity and infrastructure projects are crucial for peace and development in the South Caucasus.

With the conclusion of a regional transport deconfinement agreement and discussions on cross-border transport corridors between Asia and Europe, the mechanism is gaining new momentum.