17:36

View from Georgia

As Georgia mourns Patriarch Ilia II, Synod starts selection process for his successor

Georgia is in national mourning following the death of Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, who has died at the age of 93. His passing marks the end of a nearly 50-year era during which he became one of the most influential spiritual and public figures in the country’s modern history.

13:14

South Caucasus

Azerbaijan sends 82 tonnes of aid to neighbouring Iran after leaders hold talks

Azerbaijan has dispatched a fresh shipment of humanitarian aid to neighbouring Iran, in what officials describe as a continued effort to support a “friendly nation” during a period of need.

07:26

Death of Patriarch

Ilia II, longtime head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, dies at 93

Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church who led the institution for more than four decades through the final years of the Soviet era and Georgia’s independence, has died aged 93.

14:47

South Caucasus

EU drops Kulevi port from sanctions list after Georgia and SOCAR vow to shut out Russia’s shadow fleet

The European Union has removed Georgia’s Kulevi oil terminal from its sanctions list after receiving assurances from both the Georgian government and Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR that the facility will no longer be used in ways that could bypass sanctions on Russian oil.

12:35

Trade

Will the Iran war provide an economic opportunity for Georgia?

When the current confrontation around Iran eventually fades into history, the real story for the South Caucasus may not be about missiles or military balances. It is likely to be about ports, railways and trade routes.

11:51

EU-Armenia

EU sends team to Armenia to counter democratic threats ahead of summer elections

The European Union will send a team to Armenia to counter democratic threats ahead of its parliamentary elections in June.   

08:00

South Caucasus

Azerbaijan court jails French national Martin Ryan for 10 years over spying

A court in Baku has sentenced a French national, Martin Ryan, to 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of espionage, according to reporting by Reuters and other outlets citing the Russian state news agency RIA.

16:26

KAZAKHSTAN ELECTIONS

Kazakhstan to hold next presidential election in 2029, Tokayev says after constitutional referendum

Kazakhstan’s next presidential election will be held in 2029 in line with the Constitution, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said after voting in a referendum on a draft new Constitution amid debate over whether the reforms could signal a future transfer of power.

16:37

Politics

Six more people evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan

The process of evacuating foreign diplomats and citizens from Iran to Azerbaijan through the Astara state border crossing continues on Sunday (15 March), ensuring smooth and efficient transit for those arriving. 

14:24

WUF13

Baku prepares to host WUF13 as organisers outline plans

A media briefing in Baku has outlined preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku from 17 to 22 May 2026.

21:46

Georgia Politics

Georgia urged to investigate torture allegations in OSCE report

The treatment of some detainees in Georgia “has arguably reached the threshold of torture”, a probe into the country’s human rights situation backed by 23 OSCE members has found.

21:18

Global Security

International security top of the agenda at 13th Global Baku Forum

International security and climate change are top of the agenda as leaders and policymakers from around the world meet at the 13th Global Baku Forum in the Azerbaijani capital this week.

14:24

Independence Declaration

Armenian PM calls for constitution without Independence Declaration references

The new constitution of Armenia must not contain any reference to the Declaration of Independence, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday (12 March), according to Armenian media reports.

11:11

Georgia

Landslide closes major road in Tkibuli, Georgia

Residents of the village of Kurseb in western Georgia have been evacuated to safety after a landslide struck the area. Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene and authorities closed a key road as a precaution.

09:36

Azerbaijan-UK Relations

69% of Azerbaijan students on scholarship prefer UK universities

Around 69% of students on the Azerbaijani state scholarship chose Universities in the United Kingdom as their preferred place of study.

22:07

Global Affairs

Agenda for 13th Global Baku Forum outlined at Baku press conference

Organisers of the 13th Global Baku Forum outlined the agenda and key themes of the upcoming international gathering during a press conference in Baku ahead of the event, scheduled to take place from 12 to 14 March.

21:03

Costa in Baku

EU Council president visits Azerbaijan, condemns Iran strikes, reaffirms solidarity

President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, visited Azerbaijan on Wednesday. A meeting between Costa and President Ilham Aliyev was held to reaffirm the European Union’s support amid regional security concerns, particularly following recent Iranian attacks on Nakhchivan Airport.

14:30

View from Georgia

Georgia cancels tenders for key highway linking Armenia and Azerbaijan borders

Georgia has cancelled international tenders for the construction of major road sections that form part of a regional highway linking the country with the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

11:19

Russian grain

Over 1,000 tons of Russian grain en route to Armenia via Azerbaijan

A freight train carrying more than 1,000 tons of Russian grain will depart for Armenia through Azerbaijani territory on Wednesday. The shipment consists of 11 wagons loaded with a total of 1,023 tons of agricultural cargo.

17:46

Georgian elections

Georgian government meets OSCE in Tbilisi over disputed 2024 elections

A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.