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Azerbaijan mourns crash of Azal plane and death of 38 persons

Azerbaijan mourns crash of Azal plane and death of 38 persons

n Baku, flags on official buildings and embassies of foreign countries flew at half mast Thursday (26 December) as Azerbaijan observed a day of mourning following the crash of an AZAL plane which resulted in the death of 38 passengers and crew. The plane was on  a scheduled flight from Baku to Grozny, but was diverted to Kazakhstan because of bad weather. President Ilham Aliyev was informed of the crash whilst on his way to St Petersburg where he was to attend the informal CIS summit hosted by President Putin. He ordered his plan to return to Baku to lead the Azerbaijani response to the crash. Azerbaijani media speculated about the causes  of the crash, with some outlets saying that it was hit by a Chechen missile whilst approaching Grozny.
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Event
Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

The editorial team of commonspace.eu extends its warmest Christmas and holiday greetings to all our contributors, supporters, readers and subscribers in the Caucasus region, Europe, North/South America, Asia and beyond. We are grateful for your continued commitment and support, and we wish you joy, health and prosperity in the coming year.
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Interview
Interview: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discusses the prospects of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan

Interview: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discusses the prospects of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan

In an interview with Armenpress Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed a number of critical aspects of the pending peace treaty with Azerbaijan. In his view, the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty would gain superior legal force over Armenian laws and the topic of territorial demands would be closed forever. Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that the same would happen in Azerbaijan meaning that the signing of the peace treaty would practically dispel the concerns of both Armenia and Azerbaijan particularly in relation to their respective constitutions. The Prime Minister also noted that Armenia was not engaged in an arms race with any country but was acquiring armaments exclusively for defending Armenia’s borders and territorial integrity.
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Interview
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discusses the prospects of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discusses the prospects of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan

In an interview with Armenpress Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed a number of critical aspects of the pending peace treaty with Azerbaijan. In his view, the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty would gain superior legal force over Armenian laws and the topic of territorial demands would be closed forever. Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that the same would happen in Azerbaijan meaning that the signing of the peace treaty would practically dispel the concerns of both Armenia and Azerbaijan particularly in relation to their respective constitutions. The Prime Minister also noted that Armenia was not engaged in an arms race with any country but was acquiring armaments exclusively for defending Armenia’s borders and territorial integrity.
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Interview
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discusses the prospects of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discusses the prospects of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan

In an interview with Armenpress Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed a number of critical aspects of the pending peace treaty with Azerbaijan. In his view, the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty would gain superior legal force over Armenian laws and the topic of territorial demands would be closed forever. Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that the same would happen in Azerbaijan meaning that the signing of the peace treaty would practically dispel the concerns of both Armenia and Azerbaijan particularly in relation to their respective constitutions. The Prime Minister also noted that Armenia was not engaged in an arms race with any country but was acquiring armaments exclusively for defending Armenia’s borders and territorial integrity.
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Georgia takes centre stage in Brussels and Strasbourg

Georgia takes centre stage in Brussels and Strasbourg

Events in Georgia are in the spotlight in Brussels this week with European leaders putting the political situation in Tbilisi on their agenda during the EU Council meeting for Heads of Government on Thursday. On Wednesday, the President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili delivered a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
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Opinion
Opinion: Breaking the Present Deadlock in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process Will Remain a Formidable Task in 2025

Opinion: Breaking the Present Deadlock in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process Will Remain a Formidable Task in 2025

On 10 December, the Center for Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), a Baku-based political think tank closely affiliated with the Azerbaijani government, held a high-level international conference titled “The Main Obstacle to a Peace Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia.” The conference identified the territorial claims in Armenia’s constitution against Azerbaijan as the primary obstacle to peace.
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EU prepares to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats

EU prepares to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to ask the European Commission to prepare a proposal for the suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian officials holding diplomatic passports as a consequence of the  crackdown in Georgia on pro-EU protests. This measure will be a considerable setback for the government in Tbilisi.