BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 5. The meeting in
Brussels is another attempt to drag the South Caucasus into a
geopolitical confrontation, Russian Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

“We consider the high-level meeting in the Armenia-US-EU format
held in Brussels on April 5, 2024 as another attempt by the
“collective West” to drag the South Caucasus into a geopolitical
confrontation. Irresponsible and destructive interference of
extra-regional forces in the affairs of the South Caucasus, the
desire to drive a wedge between the countries of the region and
their neighbors could result in the most negative consequences for
stability, security and economic development in the region, provoke
the emergence of new dividing lines, as well as an uncontrollable
increase in tension,” the statement said.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the West wants to
turn Armenia into an instrument for the implementation of its
extremely 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, the
withdrawal of the Russian military base and border guards. We call
on the leadership in Yerevan not to allow the West to deceive
itself and lead the country along the wrong path, which is fraught
with the emergence of a security vacuum, serious problems in the
economy and outflow of population,” the statement said.

The department emphasized that the volumes of grant support
announced in Brussels cannot be compared with the multi-billion
dollar benefits that Armenia continues to receive from interaction
with Moscow and within the EAEU and the CIS.

“It is these factors that in recent years have ensured a
multiple increase in trade turnover (four times since 2018) and, as
a result, record economic growth and an increase in the well-being
of the population. We confirm our commitment to comprehensively
deepen and expand relations with Armenia on the principles
enshrined in the fundamental bilateral documents and agreements
through common integration associations. We are convinced that the
progressive development of the Russian-Armenian alliance will
contribute to the realization of the fundamental interests of the
peoples of Russia and Armenia, strengthening regional security and
stability,” Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The department said that the West is also not abandoning
attempts to destroy the fundamental basis of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization – a set of trilateral statements
by 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 trust
through contacts of social activists and experts.

“It was under pressure from Washington and Brussels that
official Yerevan suspended the implementation of these agreements,
on many of which, in particular on the issue of lifting the mutual
transport blockade, the parties were close to mutually acceptable
solutions. Moscow remains ready to assist in every possible way in
achieving the long-awaited peace between Azerbaijan and
Armenia.

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

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the
High Representative and Vice-President of the EU Josep Borrell, US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the head of USAID Samantha Power
and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan
met on April 5 in Brussels.

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