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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Editor's choice
Opinion
The 3+3 Initiative in Retrospect: A Framework Out of Step with Current Realities
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The 3+3 Initiative in Retrospect: A Framework Out of Step with Current Realities

18 September 2025
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.
Beyrak Hajiyev
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Opinion
Symbolism Meets Realpolitik in Armenia-Türkiye Normalization Efforts
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Symbolism Meets Realpolitik in Armenia-Türkiye Normalization Efforts

16 September 2025
The prospect of peace in the South Caucasus may finally be within reach. Following the high-profile meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the White House as facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump on 8 August, hopes are rising that Yerevan and Baku could soon sign a long-anticipated peace treaty. That breakthrough has already been welcomed internationally, sparking renewed movement on the Armenia–Türkiye track as well. Opening the Armenian-Türkiye border has long been a policy objective for successive governments in Yerevan.
Onnik James Krikorian

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Editor's choice
Erdogan: "Ankara will continue to be on the side of Azerbaijan in Karabakh issue"
Erdogan: "Ankara will continue to be on the side of Azerbaijan in Karabakh issue"
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Erdogan: "Ankara will continue to be on the side of Azerbaijan in Karabakh issue"

12 September 2012
"Our stance on Upper Karabakh will continue as in the past. As an intervener in the process, we will continue to be on the side of Azerbaijan," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with the Azerbaijani President Ilham Alivey at the end of a meeting of the Turkey-Azerbaijan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Qabala, Sondakika reports.
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NKR President: "Azerbaijani officer's crime is a serious blow upon mediation efforts of the OSCE MG co- chair-states"
NKR President: "Azerbaijani officer's crime is a serious blow upon mediation efforts of the OSCE MG co- chair-states"
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NKR President: "Azerbaijani officer's crime is a serious blow upon mediation efforts of the OSCE MG co- chair-states"

12 September 2012
On 11 September Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan met personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, NKR President's press-service reports.
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Leaked foreign affairs report of Budapest suggests Azeri president misled Hungary
Leaked foreign affairs report of Budapest suggests Azeri president misled Hungary
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Leaked foreign affairs report of Budapest suggests Azeri president misled Hungary

11 September 2012
A restricted document issued by the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (MKI), leaked by news website nol.hu on Friday, indicates that Hungarian authorities were misled by Azerbaijan in connection with the handover of the Azeri officer who killed an Armenian officer in Hungary eight years ago.
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The New York Times: Ambassador Morningstar's far from empty gesture sent two wrong signals
The New York Times: Ambassador Morningstar's far from empty gesture sent two wrong signals
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The New York Times: Ambassador Morningstar's far from empty gesture sent two wrong signals

11 September 2012
Apart from the fact that such step (extradition, pardoning and glorification of an Azerbaijani officer, who killed Armenian officer in Budapest) is an affront to basic notions of justice and the rule of law, even more troubling is the message that it sends to the rest of the world: that the Azerbaijani government thinks it is acceptable to kill Armenians, New York Times rights.
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U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan: It is important that Azerbaijan and Armenia continue working through OSCE Minsk Group to find solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan: It is important that Azerbaijan and Armenia continue working through OSCE Minsk Group to find solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
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U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan: It is important that Azerbaijan and Armenia continue working through OSCE Minsk Group to find solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

11 September 2012
"It is important that Azerbaijan and Armenia continue working through the OSCE Minsk Group to find solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the U.S. will work with other co-chairs, Azerbaijan and Armenia in this regard," U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar said in Baku on Monday.
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Armenian community of Switzerland holds a protest action in Switzerland
Armenian community of Switzerland holds a protest action in Switzerland
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Armenian community of Switzerland holds a protest action in Switzerland

11 September 2012
The representatives of the Armenian community of Switzerland held a protest action in Bern near Hungary's Embassy in Switzerland against the extradition and pardoning of the Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, who killed sleeping Armenian officer Gourgen Margaryan in 2004.
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ASALA has not threatened to Azerbaijani Embassy in Budapest
ASALA has not threatened to Azerbaijani Embassy in Budapest
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ASALA has not threatened to Azerbaijani Embassy in Budapest

11 September 2012
"We categorically deny the misinformation spread by the Azerbaijani authorities that our organization has sent threatening letters to their embassy in Budapest," says the Refutation Statement disseminated by The Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) on September 11, 2012.
Editor's choice
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia: Washington expects explanations from Baku and Budapest over extradition and pardoning of Azerbaijani murderer
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia: Washington expects explanations from Baku and Budapest over extradition and pardoning of Azerbaijani murderer
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U.S. Ambassador to Armenia: Washington expects explanations from Baku and Budapest over extradition and pardoning of Azerbaijani murderer

10 September 2012
Washington expects explanations from Baku and Budapest over extradition and pardoning of Azerbaijani murderer Ramil Safarov, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern said at the ceremony of signing an agreement to extend cooperation with the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia.
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