Region

South Caucasus

Stories under this heading cover the South Caucasus – a region encompassing Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as the unrecognised entities of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh.

For those interested specifically in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and events and developments in and around Nagorno-Karabakh following the 2020 44-day war, check out our sister page, KarabakhSpace.eu.

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European Union cancels 121 million euros in funding for Georgia

European Union cancels 121 million euros in funding for Georgia

The European Union has decided to cancel €121 million in funds intended to support Georgia's economic development and its aspirations for EU membership. The decision was confirmed by the EU delegation in Georgia, which said that the growing repression of dissent was the reason for the withdrawal of financial assistance.
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Russia agrees to withdraw border guards from the Armenian-Iranian border

Russia agrees to withdraw border guards from the Armenian-Iranian border

On Tuesday (8 October), Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed at the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to withdraw Russian border guards from the Armenian-Iranian frontier as of January 2025 and replace them with Armenian border guards. In addition, the Turkish border will be guarded by both Russian and Armenian guards.

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Editor's choice
News
European Union cancels 121 million euros in funding for Georgia

European Union cancels 121 million euros in funding for Georgia

The European Union has decided to cancel €121 million in funds intended to support Georgia's economic development and its aspirations for EU membership. The decision was confirmed by the EU delegation in Georgia, which said that the growing repression of dissent was the reason for the withdrawal of financial assistance.
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News
Russia agrees to withdraw border guards from the Armenian-Iranian border

Russia agrees to withdraw border guards from the Armenian-Iranian border

On Tuesday (8 October), Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed at the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to withdraw Russian border guards from the Armenian-Iranian frontier as of January 2025 and replace them with Armenian border guards. In addition, the Turkish border will be guarded by both Russian and Armenian guards.
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News
EU rejects Russian claims on NATO role in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks

EU rejects Russian claims on NATO role in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks

Alexander Bortnikov, the director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), has claimed that Armenia is postponing peace talks with Azerbaijan in order to deploy a NATO contingent in the South Caucasus, in line with a Western agenda. These remarks have been refuted by Peter Stano, a spokesman for the European External Action Service (EEAS). Stano claims that the West strongly supports the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and has no intention of establishing a NATO presence in the region.  
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Opinion
Opinion: Middle Corridor gains momentum while Zangezur Corridor remains stalled

Opinion: Middle Corridor gains momentum while Zangezur Corridor remains stalled

In September, it was announced that China has joined Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia as a partner in the Middle Corridor Initiative, with the China Railway Container Transport Corporation (CRTC) participating in the project. The decision followed extended talks over several months and was confirmed during the 8th International Silk Road Expo, held in Xi’an from September 19-20, 2024. This announcement comes amid the growing significance of the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), as a crucial trade link between China and Europe, passing through several Central Asian and South Caucasian countries. The Middle Corridor Multimodal joint venture, established in 2023, offers a “one-stop-shop” service for cargo delivery along this route, aiming to enhance transport coordination, provide transparent tariffs, and ensure consistent delivery times.
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US Helsinki Commission assesses political situation in South Caucasus

US Helsinki Commission assesses political situation in South Caucasus

The US Helsinki Commission on Tuesday (1 October) published an analysis of Russia's political and economic agenda. The document addresses, among other things, various developments in the South Caucasus. The region is experiencing various political shifts as Russia's material influence wanes due to its focus on its war with Ukraine. On the one hand. Armenia was once one of Russia's strongest allies. However, following the Nagorno Karabakh war in 2020, Armenia has moved away from Moscow and more towards a Western agenda. On the other hand, Azerbaijan has adopted a cooperative approach with Russia, especially given the similarities between the two countries' strong governmental grip.   
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Ruben Vardanyan, filed lawsuit in Baku for torture and lack of speedy trial

Ruben Vardanyan, filed lawsuit in Baku for torture and lack of speedy trial

Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian ex-official of the self-declared Nagorno Karabakh administration, was arrested and imprisoned along with other top Karabakh officials during Baku's recapture of Nagorno Karabakh in September 2023. On Thursday (3 October), Vardanyan's lawyers filed a lawsuit in Baku for alleged torture and denial of a speedy trial. 
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News
Tavush Movement resumes protests against border delimitation in Yerevan 

Tavush Movement resumes protests against border delimitation in Yerevan 

On Wednesday (3 October), the Tavush movement, under the new name of the Holy Struggle, held a political rally in Yerevan's Republic Square. The movement was formed to protest against border delimitation with Azerbaijan, but also to demand the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The newly chosen name, 'Holy Struggle', is a strategic way of attracting support, particularly by exploiting its Christian overtones. 
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News
New research finds environmental degradation across the South Caucasus

New research finds environmental degradation across the South Caucasus

A new study entitled "Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainability in Asia" by Münir Öztürk, Volkan Altay and Recep Efe has found that environmental degradation across the South Caucasus is affecting public health, water and food security. The three countries of the South Caucasus - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - have environmental legislative frameworks but lack effective practices to promote sustainable growth. The main areas of concern identified by the research are soil erosion, deforestation and poorly planned urbanisation. 
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Increase in cooperation between Vietnam and Azerbaijan

Increase in cooperation between Vietnam and Azerbaijan

Politburo member Nguyen Xuan Thang met the Azerbaijani ambassador in Hanoi on Tuesday (1 October). Thang said that this year marks a big anniversary in the relationship between Vietnam and Azerbaijan. It is the 65th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Baku. Thang reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening its friendship and cooperation with traditional allies like Azerbaijan.