Yerevan /Mediamax/. Russia is in favor of the South Caucasus being "maximally open” in terms of transport, trade, and economic communications, Russian Deputy FM Andrey Rudenko said in the interview to Russia Today.

He has made the remark while commenting on the suggestion that the agreement on customs administration Russia and Georgia signed in 2011 can become irrelevant, because there is a perspective of a transport route from Russia to Armenia through Azerbaijan.

“Russia consistently stands against any trading blockades and restrictions, including in the South Caucasus, which is a natural crossroad of trade routes due to its geographic location. Un-blocking of economic and transport communications is in the strategic interests of all countries of the region. This goal is established in the trilateral statement of Russia, Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders, issued on 9 November 2020, and in the results of the Moscow summit of January 11.

On the basis of that, we have already started the corresponding work with Baku and Yerevan. At the same time, we keep in mind a broader context, I mean the possibilities and the endeavor of our other partners to contribute to stability and prosperity of South Caucasus. In essence, we are speaking about a possibility of joining forces with all regional players to make the South Caucasus maximally open in terms of transport, trade, and economic communications in all azimuths,” he said.

As for the agreement with Georgia, Rudenko has noted that “Russia is inclined to continue constructive work and find mutually acceptable solutions in order to make the agreement work as soon as possible.”