Azerbaijan
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.
Game of thrones in Armenia and Azerbaijan
There is little doubt that the winner of the snap presidential election in Azerbaijan on Wednesday (11 April) will be its incumbent head of state, Ilham Aliyev. More interesting is the motive for such a move - which may well be the wish to counter the consolidation of power in arch-foe Armenia.
Ukraine says DCFTAs outdated, need deep review
One of the key messages from the EURACTIV debate on the Eastern Partnership – “Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and the EU: The Road to 2020” held on March 20 in Brussels was that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with these countries need a revamp.
Germany provides €1.2 billion loan for Southern Gas Corridor
The German Ministry of Finance will provide €1.2 billion to help Azerbaijan finance its part of the Southern Gas Corridor project, Deutsche Welle reported.
Azerbaijan opposition vows to boycott snap presidential vote
Leaders of Azerbaijan's main opposition parties pledged on Monday (12 February) to boycott a snap presidential election which is expected to extend the autocratic rule of President Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijan-EU Council takes place after three year gap
The European Union and Azerbaijan today (9 February) held their 15th Cooperation Council, a high point in relations intended to be held annually, after a three year gap. .
EU bank approves largest ever energy loan, for TAP pipeline
The European Investment Bank on Tuesday (6 February) approved its largest ever single loan to an energy project: the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The €1.5 billion grant will be used to bring gas from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
Azerbaijan calls snap presidential poll for April
Azerbaijan's strongman Ilham Aliyev called on Monday (5 February) a snap presidential vote for 11 April, six months ahead of schedule, as opposition politicians slammed the surprise move.
EU concerned by sentencing of journalist in Azerbaijan
The EU expressed concern on Sunday (14 January) over the sentencing of Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Mukhtarli to six years in prison after he had investigated high-level corruption.
EU bank delays decision on mega pipeline loan
The European Investment Bank on Tuesday (12 December) delayed a decision on whether to grant a multi-billion-euro loan to a controversial pipeline, after the bank’s board insisted it needs more time to assess the project.
Nuclear spat at Eastern Partnership summit
A heated exchange broke out between Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaite and Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei on the issue of the controversial Astravyets nuclear power plant, during the Eastern Partnership summit on Friday (24 November).
Leaders gather for low-key EU Eastern Partnership summit
Leaders from the EU and six former Soviet states meet in Brussels today (24 November) for the latest summit aimed at deepening ties, but thorny subjects like Russian influence and the war in Ukraine are off the agenda.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey launch ‘Silk Road’ rail link
The leaders of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia launched an 826-km rail link connecting the three countries on 30 October, establishing a freight and passenger link between Europe and China that bypasses Russia.
Armenia urged to ‘do homework’ to prepare for visa-free travel
Armenia’s government has been urged to start “internal preparations” for visa liberalisation, the process for which could be started at a summit in November.
Azerbaijan moves forward with ‘5-star’ free-trade hub
A draft law on the creation of a free trade zone in Azerbaijan will be submitted to the country’s parliament before the end of 2017, Taleh Ziyadov, director general of Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC (Port of Baku), told reporters in Baku.
EU urges Azerbaijan to release opposition figures
The European Union yesterday (4 June) called on Azerbaijan to urgently release detained opposition figures, including a journalist allegedly abducted in Georgia.