Azerbaijan
TRACECA could have been the backbone of Belt and Road
In the early 1990’s, the EU had actually paved the way for Euro-Asian connectivity programmes with TRACECA, a programme meant to promote regional transport dialogue. However, its attention to the initiative dwindled over the years, writes Nicola Contessi.
Merkel holds ‘intensive’ discussions in Azerbaijan
German Chancellor Angela Merkel held what she called "intensive" discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in talks that addressed energy cooperation, human rights, and the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
After Trump attack on Russia ties, Merkel eyes Azeri gas
Castigated by US President Donald Trump as relying too much on Russian gas supplies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to Azerbaijan this week to discuss the development of a southern pipeline to deliver gas to Europe from the Caspian.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: the basic prerequisites for a sustainable and lasting peace
A sustainable and lasting settlement is attainable but Azerbaijan should commit itself to peace, writes Armenian diplomat Rima Karapetyan.
Prankster strikes again, catches Juncker out on Putin, Trump
In a recorded telephone call with a prankster impersonating Armenia's new prime minister, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker described Russian President Vladimir Putin as his friend but said US President Donald Trump couldn’t understand what the world is about.
EU and Azerbaijan agree ‘Partnership Priorities’
A milestone in EU-Azerbaijan relations was reached in Brussels yesterday (11 July), with the end of negotiations of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Priorities in the presence of President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: Between lasting peace and eternal war
A solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is possible but hostile rhetoric is counter-productive argues Hikmat Hajiyev.
Azerbaijan asserts its power in the South Caucasus
A minor escalation carries an important message. Russia has reason to support Azerbaijan’s move in Nakhchivan, as its primary imperative in the South Caucasus is to prevent any country from moving too far into the Western camp, writes Xander Snyder.
Three presidents inaugurate TANAP pipeline in Turkey
The presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia will inaugurate today (12 June) the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), a key section of Europe's long-delayed Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), according to announcements made in the three country's media.
New Italian minister calls the TAP pipeline ‘pointless’
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte comfortably won a confidence vote in the lower house of parliament yesterday (6 June), but divisions inside his coalition put at risk a major gas pipeline project, seen by Brussels as a cornerstone of EU’s energy security.
EU must engage with Azerbaijan or Putin will
Azerbaijan’s strategic yet precarious geopolitical location and situation are such that the country deserves EU support, especially in light of growing tensions with Russia and Iran, writes Jan Zahradil MEP.
Azerbaijan inaugurates Southern Gas Corridor key terminal
Azerbaijan inaugurated on Tuesday (29 May) a terminal that is planned to be the starting point of the first pipeline to transport gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe, bypassing Russia.
France to intensify efforts to end Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
France plans to intensify efforts to find a solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said.
Azeri Ambassador: We count on EU to uphold international law
Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Belgium, Fuad Isgandarov, talks about the current geopolitical tensions with Iran, recent political changes in Armenia, attacks against his country in the international media, the human rights situation and future EU relations.
EU-Azeri trade pact will be ready in 2019
An EU-Azerbaijan trade and political agreement will be ready for ratification next year, says Javanshir Feyziyev, co-chair of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC).
MEP Nicolai: European Parliament is sometimes arrogant with EU’s neighbours
The EU has already failed in the Mediterranean and is hardly a relevant player there. Now it risks being isolated if it repeats the same mistake with its Eastern neighbours, Norica Nicolai, the European Parliament Rapporteur on the EU-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Agreement, told EURACTIV.
Leading MEP: EU-Azerbaijan relations ‘never better’
EU-Azeri relations have “never been better”, says Sajjad Karim, the Conservative MEP who co-chairs the EU-Azerbaijan parliamentary co-operation committee.
Baku’s new silk road can connect Europe to the east
At the heart of a 21st-century silk route connecting Asia and Europe, Baku is the natural geographic meeting point for east and west. An ancient city on the original silk road, the city now has its eyes on becoming a...
Lawmakers hail rebuilt EU-Azeri relations
Lawmakers from Brussels and Azerbaijan hailed on Tuesday (8 May) the rebuilding of EU-Azeri relations, broken off almost three years ago. Following a two-day meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Co-operation Committee, both sides voiced readiness to improve further on the political and economic front.
Armenia’s peaceful revolution yields new leader
Armenia’s parliament voted in favour of a new prime minister on Tuesday (8 May) as the romantically dubbed ‘love and solidarity revolution’ peacefully put the Caucasus republic’s opposition party in power.
Turkmenistan to tap into Southern Gas Corridor
Gas swaps in which Iran plays a central role could open the door for Turkmenistan, a Central Asian country with ample gas reserves, to become an important player on the EU gas market, according to media reports.
Top Russian, NATO generals choose Baku for talks on preventing military incidents
Azerbaijan's capital Baku will host a rare meeting between top generals from Russia and NATO, who will focus on preventing military incidents “caused by a possible misinterpretation of the actions of Russia and NATO", according to the Russian television RT.
Armenia and Azerbaijan simultaneously re-boot their leaders
Armenia's Serzh Sargsyan was nominated yesterday (11 April) to be the country's prime minister, days after he stepped down as president. On the same Azerbaijan strongman Ilham Aliyev secured a fourth consecutive term in an early election.