Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh holds ‘elections’ despite international criticism and virus concerns
The authorities of the internationally unrecognised breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh are holding presidential and parliamentary elections amid international criticism and despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Europe’s Southern Gas Corridor ‘almost ready’, says Azebaijan’s SOCAR
A 25-year supply contract has been signed with Italy, and the first Azeri gas is expected to start flowing before the end of 2020, said Vitaly Baylarbayov, deputy vice president of SOCAR, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.
Modernisation in Azerbaijan
The key word in Azerbaijan in recent months appears to be modernisation, with opportunities being given to young and well-educated professionals, replacing a Soviet-time old guard.
In snap parliamentary elections, Azeris put hopes in young candidates
Exit polls look good for the ruling party in Azerbaijan's snap elections, held on Sunday (9 February). The main difference compared to past elections is that many more young and Western-trained people are expected to fill the 125-seat Azeri Parliament.
Azerbaijan: remembering red carnations and looking into the future
Hikmat Hajiev, Head of the Foreign Affairs Department of Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration talks about the state of play of EU-Azerbaijan relations, geopolitics, trade and violent Soviet repression.
Azerbaijan braces for early elections, banks on ‘modernisation’
Azerbaijan will hold early elections on 9 February, eight months ahead of schedule, after President Ilham Aliyev agreed to the ruling party's request to dissolve parliament. The move is in line with a recent major government shakeup and the country's drive to modernise and rebuild EU ties.
Azerbaijan: Snap elections are coming – and a new generation of politicians
The expected snap parliamentary elections will likely launch a new democratic era in Azerbaijan, giving the voters a further possibility to advance the reform process, writes Dr. Ceyhun Osmanli.
What should the EU do about South Caucasus? Here are some proposals
It appears the South Caucasus is not a foreign policy priority of the new European Commission. But it should be, write Dennis Sammut and Amanda Paul.
Turkey and Azerbaijan mark completion of TANAP pipeline to take gas to Europe
Turkey and Azerbaijan formally marked the completion of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on Saturday (30 November), a milestone in a major project to help reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian gas.
Azerbaijan ‘discourages’ human traffickers
Azerbaijan is unlikely to become a transit country for illegal migration because the authorities have “discouraged” international human trafficking rings from taking this route, Vusal Huseynov, the chief of the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan, told EURACTIV.OpinionPromoted content
Hasty EU statements don’t reflect reality
An unauthorized rally attempt in central part of Baku by some opposition groups was presented in a one-sided and distorted manner. Hasty EU statement on rally does not reflect reality as well.
Erdogan thanks Orban for ‘support at the international stage’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met in Baku on Tuesday (15 October), on the fringes of the Turkic Council, a group of countries speaking the same family of languages, which Hungary wants to join.
Global Eurasia – Connectivity as a driver for peace, stability & security
In the Caucasus Region, power has traditionally been a complex mix of countries’ geography, resources, military capabilities and economic importance. Yet trade and trading routes are often underestimated as a driver for security and stability.
East-West corridor: ‘Hard’ versus ‘soft’ connectivity?
A conference organised by EURACTIV on ‘Global Eurasia – connectivity as a driver for peace, stability and security’ raised questions such as “greener” connectivity, in line with Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen’s priorities. But diplomats from the region were more focused on infrastructure.
Ambassador: ‘We should be more creative’ in finalising Azerbaijan-EU trade deal
It took 20 years for the EU and Mercosur to sign a trade agreement. “We don’t want to wait that much,” says the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the EU, urging the European Commission to drop its “bureaucratic matrix” thinking. "We don't hide our names," he insists.
Turkmenistan should promote the Trans-Caspian Pipeline more actively
Iran and Russia are opposing the implementation of the Trans-Caspian project, which is supported by Azerbaijan and is in the EU’s interest, writes Shahnar Hajiev.
Juncker Commission still hopes to finalise agreement with Azerbaijan
The Juncker Commission still hopes that it could conclude a new trade and political agreement with Azerbaijan in the next two months, provided that Baku moves forward on the trade part of the text, sources have told EURACTIV.
Mogherini: ‘Inshallah, EU and Azerbaijan will soon finalise their agreement’
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini expressed hope on Thursday (4 April) that the EU and Azerbaijan would conclude a new trade and political agreement very soon, using the Arabic expression Inshallah (God willing).
EU undisturbed over conflicting Nagorno-Karabakh messages
Conflicting messages about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been aired in recent days: "Territories for peace" and a “new war for new territories”. But the European Union made it clear it trusted the messages of peace.OpinionPromoted content
East finally meets West in Azerbaijan
Safety and gender equality cement Azerbaijan’s place as the shining example of a modern Muslim democracy, writes Vadim Gusman.
Puppet policy won’t solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
The recent assertions by the Armenian Prime Minister to involve the illegal puppet regime established in the seized lands of Azerbaijan, in the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations, can only paralyse the whole process, writes Hikmat Hajiev.
Armenia PM: Nagorno-Karabakh talks must include ‘Republic of Artsakh’
Armenia and Azerbaijan’s frosty relations have started to thaw since Nikol Pashinyan led a peaceful revolution in the Caucasus republic last year. In an interview with EURACTIV, he talked about future ties with Baku, as well as with Brussels and Moscow.
Commission eager to see the capacity of Southern gas corridor doubled
A recent meeting of government officials and big energy companies in Azerbaijan signalled ambitions about doubling the capacity of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), and of more European countries becoming clients.
France, Russia and US ‘working closely together’ on Nagorno-Karabakh
Positive momentum in the search for a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been confirmed in recent days, with fresh meetings and more shuttle diplomacy in the region.Supporter
