The Western agenda in the South Caucasus does not always correspond to the interests of the countries of the region, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told RIA Novosti, commenting on the strengthening of military cooperation between Armenia and France, Paralel.Az reports.

"The non-regionals come to the South Caucasus with their own agenda, which does not always correspond, to put it mildly, to the interests of the regional countries. Today, Western countries are moving towards the South Caucasus with an anti-Russian agenda of open confrontation. We [i.e. Russia] believe that this will not contribute to stability and security in Transcaucasia," said Galuzin.

"We believe that regional security can be ensured in the most effective way by the efforts of the countries of the respective region. We support regional responsibility, both in terms of ensuring security and economic integration of the South Caucasus and other regions," the Russian diplomat added.