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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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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Opinion
Opinion: Josep Borrell argues for more engagement with the South Caucasus

Opinion: Josep Borrell argues for more engagement with the South Caucasus

The EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has called for more EU engagement with the South Caucasus. Writing on his blog on the website of the European External Action Service, Borrell said that there is a growing expectation on the side of EU member states and partners for the EU to take a more active role in addressing the conflicts in the Eastern neighbourhood. "We are ready to help rebuild not only physical roads and bridges, but also paths to reconciliation and peaceful co-existence," the High Representative said.
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TRACECA seeks closer co-operation with EU in implementing its connectivity agenda Europe-Caucasus-Asia

TRACECA seeks closer co-operation with EU in implementing its connectivity agenda Europe-Caucasus-Asia

TRACECA seeks a closer co-operation with the European Union as it pursues its plans and activities to promote connectivity Europe-Caucasus-Asia in areas related to transport. This was stated by the Secretary-General of the TRACECA Inter-Governmental Commission, Asset Assavbayev, who this week was on a visit to Brussels  for discussions with EU officials. TRACECA brings together thirteen countries that form a transport corridor stretching from the heart of Europe to the borders of China.
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EU Ministerial Mission concludes whistlestop tour of South Caucasus

EU Ministerial Mission concludes whistlestop tour of South Caucasus

The foreign ministers of Austria, Romania and Lithuania visited Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia 25-26 June as special emissaries of the EU High Representative Josep Borrell. commonspace.eu political editor said in a comment that this was a small but important gesture with the purpose of sending a clear message to the region, and to others interested in it, that the European Union remains committed and engaged.
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EU signals new intensity in relations with the countries of Eastern Partnership and Central Asia, but 3 want more

EU signals new intensity in relations with the countries of Eastern Partnership and Central Asia, but 3 want more

EU leaders stressed the need to further deepen and intensify political, economic and people-to-people ties and co-operation with the Eastern Partners, and underlined their commitment to deepen relations with Central Asia, but Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova want a membership perspective.
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Russia mulls the Armenian elections results

Russia mulls the Armenian elections results

The Russian media has taken a lot of interest in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Armenia. They echoed the Kremlin's position of advocating stability and discouraging street protests. But the newspaper Kommersant says many in Moscow were taken by surprise by the result.
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Opinion
Opinion: An election with many surprises

Opinion: An election with many surprises

Armenia's parliamentary elections were properly conducted with only minor violations. But Nikol Pashinyan's landslide victory was somewhat surprising says Benyamin Poghosyan in this op-ed for commonspace.eu Pashinyan's victory means Armenia will continue implementing all written and oral agreements reached with Russia and Azerbaijan after the end of the 2020 Karabakh war, he adds.