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Azerbaijan
As COP29 nears, Azerbaijani authorities target peace activists and independent voices
Est. 5minAs Azerbaijan gears up to host COP29 in November 2024, Azerbaijan authorities continue to intensify the crackdown on civil society has intensified, with the latest arrest in August making waves both domestically and internationally.
Future uncertain for TAP and DESFA, following European Parliament vote
Est. 4minRelations between Azerbaijan and the EU have reached deadlock, and Baku may lose interest in major energy projects, such as the TAP pipeline, and the Greek natural gas operator DESFA, diplomatic sources have informed EURACTIV.
EU calls Nagorno-Karabakh escalation ‘unsustainable’
Est. 3minAzerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh are reported to be bickering about how many of their soldiers had been killed in recent clashes, stoking fears of a wider conflict breaking out in the South Caucasus.
Azeri court sentences prominent journalist to jail
Est. 2minAn Azeri court today (1 September) sentenced a prominent journalist known for exposing corruption among the ruling elite to seven-and-a-half years in jail, in a case critics say is political.
Bulgaria offers Azerbaijan ‘a package’ of energy projects
Est. 3minThe Bulgarian government has proposed a package of energy cooperation projects to Azerbaijan. It remains unclear if the massive deal is part of a swap of property linked to a plan to divest 17% of Azerbaijan’s shares of Greek gas operator DEFSA to a third country.
Greece optimistic about gas grid deal with Azerbaijan’s SOCAR
Est. 2minAzerbaijan's state-owned oil company SOCAR has confirmed its interest in acquiring a stake in Greek gas grid operator DESFA, with a deal possible by the end of the year, Greece's privatisation agency said on Wednesday (26 August).
Tusk tour focuses on frozen conflicts
Est. 6minCouncil President Donald Tusk's trip to the South Caucasus has largely focused on the 'frozen conflicts' in Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Strasbourg court decision deals blow to Armenia over Azerbaijan
Est. 3minA decision by the European Court of Human Rights concerning the complaints of seven Azerbaijani nationals who were unable to return or receive compensation for their property in Lachin, in Nagorno-Karabakh, confirmed that Armenia controls the territory.
Nabucco 2.0 to transport Russian gas?
Est. 4minA new version of the defunct Nabucco gas pipeline project is being prepared, this time based on the transport of Russian gas, Austria's Die Presse has learned. Ironically, the original concept of Nabucco was precisely to carry gas from other sources than Russia.
US brinkmanship closed OSCE office in Baku, claim diplomats
Est. 5minEXCLUSIVE: Azerbaijan gave one month to the office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Baku to close down, which was interpreted by Western media as a response to criticisim of the country's human rights and media freedom record. But Western diplomats told EURACTIV a completely different story.
EU plans major offensive to diversify gas supplies
Est. 6minThe European Commission is preparing a ‘diplomatic energy action plan’ to diversify the EU’s natural gas supply sources, with plans for tapping Algeria’s huge unexploited reserves, and a comprehensive LNG strategy due next year.
The 1st European Games preparations in photos
Est. 2minSPECIAL REPORT / Just a couple of weeks before the Baku 2015 European Games begin on 12 June, EURACTIV presents a photo essay, capturing the venues in the capital of Azerbaijan, which will play host to the first Olympic games in continental Europe.
Merkel tells Eastern partners not to expect too much
Est. 5minGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel told the EU's eastern partners yesterday (21 May) not to expect too much of the bloc and warned Russia to mend its ways over Ukraine if it wanted to rejoin the G7.
Ukraine wants roadmap to EU accession at Riga summit
Est. 3minUkraine's foreign minister said his country wants assurances at a summit with the European Union this week that it is a suitable candidate for EU membership, and that its citizens will gain visa-free travel to the bloc next year.
Azerbaijan positions itself as promoter of multiculturalism
Est. 7minBaku is hosting a world forum on intercultural dialogue, conveying the message that if multiculturalism was failing in some European countries, it is alive and kicking in Azerbaijan and could be an example to the world. EURACTIV reports from Baku.
US discourages Greece from Turkish Stream
Est. 3minThe United States wants Greece to focus on the Western-backed TAP pipeline project rather than the rival Gazprom-favoured project Turkish Stream, a US special envoy said.
Former Czech PM promotes Eastring gas pipeline
Est. 7minEXCLUSIVE / Mirek Topolánek, former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and President of the Council of the EU during the Czech Presidency in 2009, is now in charge of the promotion of the Eastring gas pipeline project, designed to link Central with Southeastern Europe. On a visit to Brussels, he explained the project to EURACTIV.
EU to postpone Ukraine free trade pact to 2016
Est. 4minThe European Union will begin implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with Ukraine in 2016, despite Russian pressure for another delay, according to a draft statement prepared for a summit with six of the bloc's eastern neighbours this month in Riga.
West and Azerbaijan denounce Nagorno-Karabakh ‘elections’
Est. 3minAzerbaijan's separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh went to the polls yesterday (3 May) to elect a new parliament in a vote denounced as illegitimate by Baku and the West.
Belgium working to end Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Est. 4minIn his capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Didier Reynders visited both Armenia and Azerbaijan this week, with a focus on their ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
TAP pipeline secures exemption from Third Energy Package
Est. 4minThe Trans-Adriatic pipeline (TAP), representing the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) which will bring gas from Azerbaijan, has obtained an extension of the validity period of the project’s exemption from third party access to its pipe.
France acknowledges ‘mounting tensions’ in Nagorno-Karabakh
Est. 3minFrench President François Hollande has met with both the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, and Ilham Aliyev, the President Azerbaijan, against the background of reports of renewed violence in Nagorno-Karabakh.
TAP pipeline open to other shareholders, including Iran
Est. 2minThe Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which will carry Azeri gas to European markets, and is seen as Europe's alternative to its reliance on Russia, is open to new shareholders, including Iran, a spokeswoman for the project said yesterday (8 April).
Commission publishes neighbourhood reports for ‘test year 2014’
Est. 6minThe European Commission published an avalanche of “progress reports” on Wednesday (25 March) covering 12 of the 16 countries in the EU’s neighbourhood for 2014, calling it a test year for the Union's relations with its neighbours.