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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Editor's choice
Opinion
Opinion: Everyone is happy with the new Armenia-Russia-EU threesome

Opinion: Everyone is happy with the new Armenia-Russia-EU threesome

Armenia, the European Union and Russia had more to gain than lose from the signing of the new Armenia - EU enhanced co-operation agreement. Paradoxically Armenia's membership of the EAEU was transformed from a liability to an asset during Yerevan's second attempt at negotiations with the EU, argues Benyamin Poghosyan in this op-ed.
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News
Eastern Partnership summit succesfully held in Brussels

Eastern Partnership summit succesfully held in Brussels

"As expected the declaration from the 5th Eastern Partnership summit did not change in any significant way the approach of the EU to the eastern neighbourhood. However the declaration has something for everybody, and there are interesting nuances in the text that can form the basis in the future for the next steps in the EU's engagement with the region", commonspace.eu political editor said in a comment.
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The Eastern Partnership summit
The Eastern Partnership summit

The Eastern Partnership summit

Getting the Eastern Neighbourhood right is a key necessity for the future security and prosperity of Europe. The Brussels summit offers an opportunity for important steps on this matter in the right direction – not as an end in themselves but rather as a part of a longer term and more ambitious vision.