TBILISI. Feb 20 (Interfax) - Georgia does not currently see any possibility to take part in some new regional formats together with Russia, but notes the importance of dialogue within proposed platforms in light of the ongoing situation in the region, David Zalkaliani, a candidate for the post of Georgian foreign minister, said.
"It is difficult to imagine discussing some issues on common platforms with the country that occupied our territories until they [Russia] take steps toward lifting this occupation," Zalkaliani said on Saturday during committee hearings in the Georgian parliament.
At the same time, he reiterated the importance of proposed new formats in light of the challenging situation in the region.
"A highly complex atmosphere is currently in the region. We see that important new platforms are being proposed such as 3+3 [Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey, and Russia], 3+2 [Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Iran], etc. Of course, dialogue is needed on all this with our partners. First and foremost, it is a matter for the three countries of the South Caucasus. The major players' interest is certainly high. What counts most is that we should not lose our role, our function, but could see opportunities there, of course, not at the expense of our state interests," Zalkaliani said.
Zalkaliani said that he has already discussed some of these issues with the Armenian foreign minister and plans to discuss them with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Turkey as well.