REGIONAL COOPERATION PLATFORMS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS: AZERBAIJAN-GEORGIA-TÜRKİYE IN THE CONTEXT OF TRILATERAL DEFENCE COOPERATION

The article analyzes the history of defense cooperation of Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye and the main factors rationalizing this cooperation, as well as another regional cooperation platform project proposed to be formed within the framework of new geopolitical realities in the South Caucasus as a result of the Second Karabakh War. The purpose of the research work is to reveal the importance of the trilateral defense cooperation of AzerbaijanGeorgia-Türkiye in the South Caucasus region with a fragile security environment and to analyze the possibility of the creation of another new proposed regional cooperation platform (3 (Türkiye, Russia and Iran) + 3 (Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia)). The research work using the comparative analysis method emphasized the need to organize the reliable protection of the energy-transport-communication projects jointly implemented by Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye and to have the power to adequately respond to any threat that may arise in the region. Meanwhile, it was concluded that there is little possibility of the creation of another cooperation platform at the current stage and it was highlighted that the sides of Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye should systemize the organization of coordination work at a high level between the relevant state institutions and the point that they should further strengthen their position to participate in future regional platforms.