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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New Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue: 42 Armenians and Azerbaijanis set out vision until 2040 in four landmark reports

New Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue: 42 Armenians and Azerbaijanis set out vision until 2040 in four landmark reports

The Thematic Groups for a new Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue have produced four reports which set out a vision for relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, over the next 15 years. The reports cover four key areas: (1) Peace and Security; (2) Regional Connectivity; (3) Good Governance; and (4) Environment. 42 Armenians and Azerbaijanis were directly involved in preparing the reports as part of the Thematic Groups. Another thirty Armenians and Azerbaijanis contributed to the process. The Thematic Groups were an initiative of LINKS Europe within the framework of EU4Peace 3, a programme supported by the European Union. An ACTION COMMITTEE FOR A NEW ARMENIAN AZERBAIJANI DIALOGUE has now been established, made up of the Chair and Deputy Chairs of the four groups that produced and agreed on the reports. The members of the Action Committee are: Murad Muradov, Leonid Nersisian, Narek Minasyan, Fidan Namazova, Sargis Kharatyunyan, Nigar Gurbanli, Aghavni Kharatyunyan, and Ramazan Samadov.  The first co-chairs of the Action Committee, for the 1st eight month semester are Murad Muradov and Leonid Nersisian. The Action Committee is responsible for the dissemination of the four reports, their eventual updating, and for contributing to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue and Peace and regional co-operation. LINKS Europe has appointed a Special Advisor to the Action Committee and will provide the Secretariat. The committee will work until December 2027. (click to title to read more or to download the reports)

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Georgia marks 88th birthday of Patriarch Ilya II

Georgia marks 88th birthday of Patriarch Ilya II

Ilya II is considered the most important unifying figure in Georgian society, and commands great respect throughout the country. Despite the fact that the Church in recent years has been embroiled in a number of scandals respect for the patriarch has remained very high.
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In the South Caucasus, the messages of the leaders for New Year could not have been more different

In the South Caucasus, the messages of the leaders for New Year could not have been more different

In the South Caucasus, the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia traditionally address their fellow citizens on new year's eve, summing up the year that is ending and welcoming the new year just before the stroke of midnight. It is an old Soviet tradition, that has lingered. This year the messages could not have been more different.
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Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan sign groundbreaking agreements for renewable energy projects in the Caspian Sea worth $300 million

Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan sign groundbreaking agreements for renewable energy projects in the Caspian Sea worth $300 million

The Saudi leading energy company, ACWA Power, will develop Azerbaijan’s first wind power development in collaboration with local entities, in three deals that could herald further joint energy projects between the two countries.
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Opinion
Opinion: New twists in Armenian-Russian relations

Opinion: New twists in Armenian-Russian relations

"As a result of the November 10 trilateral statement, and deployment of Russian peacekeepers, Armenia now is more dependent on Russia than at any time since September 1991", writes Benyamin Poghosyan in this commentary. Furthermore, the deployment of Russian border troops in the Syunik region significantly increases Russian influence and leverage over Armenia, something which will definitely impact Armenia- Russia relations in the future.       
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EU says it was not possible to hold a trilateral meeting with Armenia and Azerbaijan but stands ready to  support a durable settlement of the Karabakh conflict

EU says it was not possible to hold a trilateral meeting with Armenia and Azerbaijan but stands ready to support a durable settlement of the Karabakh conflict

High Representative Josep Borrell stated “The EU stands ready to assume a role in supporting and shaping a durable settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, in close complementarity with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. We are ready to use our peacebuilding and reconstruction tools to support this.”
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EU holds high level discussions with Armenia and Azerbaijan amid signs it is preparing to step up its engagement on Karabakh issues

EU holds high level discussions with Armenia and Azerbaijan amid signs it is preparing to step up its engagement on Karabakh issues

"The EU stands ready to assume a role in supporting and shaping a durable settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, in close complementarity with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. We are ready to use our peacebuilding and reconstruction tools to support this."