Azerbaijan
Death of China-to-Russia cargo transit routes means it’s all aboard for Kazakhstan
Vladimir Putin wants to reorientate Russian trade east and south. To some extent, such a strategy will be complicated by an avoid-Russia-at-all-costs mentality drawing commerce to a ‘Middle Corridor’.
Armenia diaspora faces waning influence on Turkey, Azerbaijan negotiations
Recent moves toward restoring relations with Armenia’s traditional enemies have run into strong resistance from the global diaspora. But will it make a difference?
COMMENT: Fiscal challenge for Azerbaijan is to not spend the oil price boom
Counter-cyclical fiscal policy needed. Among other things, more modest budget spending would help country combat soaring inflation.
COMMENT: Russia will not tolerate the EU's new role in Nagorno-Karabakh peace process
The EU has gradually assumed a key role in the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has undermined the Kremlin’s longstanding dominance in the region.
Iran the winner as Ukraine conflict repercussions divert European trade flows
The importance of the International North-South Transportation Corridor, providing Indian Ocean access via the Iranian port of Chabahar, has soared.
CEE companies weather the COVID-19 crisis
Prompt and decisive government intervention, financial lifelines and firms’ involvement in global value chains have helped minimise insolvencies, says EIB/EBRD report.
Azerbaijani activists protest against police brutality in Baku
Demonstrators protest against the lack of investigation into the attacks on government critics and journalists.
After war victory, Azerbaijan keeps increasing military spending
This year it is spending more than 10% more than it did before its 2020 defeat of Armenia, and is planning to spend even more in coming years.
EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections
The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.
Azerbaijan and Armenia aim to 'move quickly' towards a peace agreement after Brussels talks
Yerevan and Baku agree to create a joint border commission by the end of April to delimit and demarcate the border but do not discuss status of the Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh region.
EBRD slashes 2022 growth forecasts but only nations embroiled in war to enter recession
Ukraine's economy forecast to contract by 20% and projections worsen across emerging Europe — except for Eurasian oil and gas producers Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.
