The European Union entered 2026 under conditions of exceptioal tensions in the energy markets. Due to the upheaval from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, unrest in the Middle East with the closure of Strait of Hormuz, and fierce competetion for LNG , the whole new geopolitical landscape has reshaped.
The proposal emerged during the first state visit by a Kenyan president to Kazakhstan, highlighting efforts by both countries to strengthen economic ties and expand access to new markets.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 15th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Reports that Emmanuel Macron planned to cross from Armenia into Türkiye via their closed border - and was reportedly blocked following consultations with Azerbaijan - have sparked renewed debate on South Caucasus diplomacy.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s planned visits to Yerevan and Baku framed the 8th European Political Community summit on 4 May, as European leaders focused on fragile South Caucasus peace efforts and rising geopolitical tensions.
Türkiye and the World Bank have signed a new partnership to strengthen Türkiye’s connectivity with Europe, Asia and the Middle East, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, including the creation of 100,000 more worldwide.
Lithuania’s Prime Minister’s visit to Azerbaijan on 9 April signals a deepening strategic dialogue between Baku and European partners. Analysts say economic interests and geopolitical shifts are driving closer engagement.
The official visit of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to Georgia marks a significant moment in South Caucasus diplomacy, highlighting a deepening strategic partnership amid global uncertainty.
Georgia’s ambitions to position itself as a key bridge between Europe and Asia are gaining renewed attention, following a visit by senior U.S. officials and fresh talks on economic cooperation.
A senior U.S. official has arrived in Georgia, renewing attention on the country’s strategic infrastructure and its growing role as a regional transit hub.
Georgia faces rising diplomatic pressure as Western partners urge alignment against Russia. Tensions grew after the UK sanctioned TV channels Imedi and POSTV, prompting Georgia to summon the British Ambassador for clarification.
Senior officials from Azerbaijan, the European Union and China used the stage at the Munich Security Conference to promote the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or Middle Corridor, as a fast-growing trade artery and a potential anchor of regional stability.
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry has raised concerns over reports that the Kulevi oil terminal on the country’s Black Sea coast could be included in a future European Union sanctions package against Russia.
Europe is increasingly viewing the South Caucasus not as a region of frozen conflicts, but as a space of opportunity, stability and strategic connectivity, international relations expert Nargiz Mammadova said.
Azerbaijan’s growing engagement with China reflects a strategic and pragmatic approach to Eurasian connectivity, according to Nurbolat Nyshanbayev, a professor at Turan University.
As the year draws to a close, Central Asia has taken a significant step towards deeper regional integration by formally bringing Azerbaijan into its decision-making framework. The move signals a broader shift towards political and economic coordination across Eurasia.
The fourth European Conference on Azerbaijani Studies was held in Vienna, Austria, on 5 December, by the European Network for Azerbaijani Studies and the Strategic Consultancy Group.
The European Union’s interest in investing in regional connectivity projects in the South Caucasus, such as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is driven by a need for strategic credibility and a tangible foreign policy success, according to a regional expert.
Middle Corridor’s rising strategic importance, and new dimensions of its development demand closer scrutiny
The European Union is considering setting up a quadrilateral working group to strengthen transport connectivity between East and West, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said.
As the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) gains renewed momentum, Central Asia and the European Union (EU) are working to turn long-standing connectivity ambitions into concrete trade routes, investment deals and infrastructure upgrades.
A new multimodal transport corridor linking China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan has officially opened, marking the completion of the long-planned China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, which began construction on 27 December 2024.
The 6th Caspian Business Forum, dedicated to the theme 'Connectivity, Finance, and Energy along the Middle Corridor' commenced in New York, organised by the Caspian Policy Centre.
As India advances its own initiative to link South Asia with Europe, the competition for future trade routes is intensifying. But will India’s corridor become a real rival—or just another headline?
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