Region

South Caucasus

The South Caucasus – a region encompassing Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - is one of strategic importance, not only for adjacent countries, such as Turkiye, Russia, Iran and the Central Asian states, but also for neighbours such as the European Union and the GCC states, and globally for the United States, India, China, Pakistan and Japan.

commonspace.eu team brings decades of experience of working in the South Caucasus and we are pleased to share our insights with our loyal readers through the website, and the sister newsletter, Caucasus Concise.

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News
Azerbaijan and China Forge Defence Ties

Azerbaijan and China Forge Defence Ties

At the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which was held from Wednesday to Friday (17 - 19  September), Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, led Baku’s delegation and held high-level discussions with his Chinese counterpart on advancing joint military capabilities.
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Opinion
The 3+3 Initiative in Retrospect: A Framework Out of Step with Current Realities

The 3+3 Initiative in Retrospect: A Framework Out of Step with Current Realities

On September 8, 2025, during his address at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the potential revival of the “3+3” format in the South Caucasus while commenting on Russia’s relations with regional countries. He noted that the initiative was initially proposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan and highlighted that it is also supported by Iran, signaling broader regional backing. Lavrov further referenced the trilateral agreement between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia on restoring transport links and welcomed the ongoing process of normalization between Armenia and Turkey.

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News
Russia to hold large scale military exercises close to the Caucasus in August

Russia to hold large scale military exercises close to the Caucasus in August

The timing of the exercises, coinciding with the 11th anniversary of the Georgia-Russia war in 2008, and the involvement of Russian military elements based in Crimea and Abkhazia. where the Russian presence is deemed illegal, makes these military drills controversial and offensive, particularly to Ukraine and Georgia.
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News
A monastery that has become a flashpoint

A monastery that has become a flashpoint

On Monday, 15 July, yet another incident occurred in the vicinity of the David Gareji Monastery which lies on a disputed area of the Georgian-Azerbaijani border. The monastery has turned from a place of worship to a flashpoint, with Georgian religious zealots trying to state their claim on the land as Georgian territory, and Azerbaijani border guards stopping them.
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Hikmat Hajiyev: Karabakh is an existential issue for Azerbaijan too, but we are ready to discuss how to resolve it
Hikmat Hajiyev: Karabakh is an existential issue for Azerbaijan too, but we are ready to discuss how to resolve it

Hikmat Hajiyev: Karabakh is an existential issue for Azerbaijan too, but we are ready to discuss how to resolve it

Speaking in London, the head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Foreign Relations Department expressed his frustration at lack of progress in peace talks.