«3+3» COOPERATION PLATFORM AND PROSPECTS FOR UNBLOCKING TRANSPORT COMMUNICATIONS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

Abstract

The article discusses the problems and prospects for the functioning of the «3+3» advisory platform, aimed at unblocking transport communications in the South Caucasus. The authors identify possibilities and obstacles to synchronizing the transport and logistics interests of regional and extra-regional actors. The goals and objectives of the «3+3» initiative are studied in the context of the implementation of the trilateral agreement of November 10, 2020 on the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. The article identifies problems that impede the full functioning of the «3+3» platform (geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the West, contradictions between Iran and Azerbaijan and Georgia’s self-exclusion from this platform). The authors also study implementation of the «Crossroads of Peace» project which helps assess the potential of Armenia as a country aspiring to create a regional transport hub at the intersection of the international corridors «East-West» and «North-South». It is established that, despite the apparent closeness to the goals of the «3+3» platform, the «Crossroads of Peace» project has a different geopolitical agenda.