Tag "Azerbaijan"
Falling oil prices raise concerns over Azerbaijan stability
The ongoing fall of oil prices leaves the Azerbaijani economy exposed to structural issues, increasing the risk of social unrest linked to current hardships. Since December 2015, the Azerbaijani economy has
Status quo in Azerbaijan election, but future less certain
Azerbaijan’s economy has grown spectacularly over the last 15 years, due to an abundance of fossil fuels in the Caspian Sea. Elections on November 1st appeared to show continuity but the
Azerbaijan tensions threaten Europe’s energy plans
Azerbaijan recently garnered media attention as host of the first ever European Games, as well as for the government’s crackdown on journalists and protesters. A security risk not often discussed
Caspian Summit may revive Iran’s oil industry
Three previous Caspian Sea summits have failed to produce a consensus on the legal status of the regions natural resources. However, the discovery of energy resources near the Iranian Caspian
Islamic finance expands into post-Soviet states
Experts have calculated that Islamic Banking will be a $2.1 trillion industry by the end of 2014. Governments across the former Soviet Union are increasingly turning toward Islamic Finance as
Russia seeks to strengthen ties with Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia – the South Caucasus – continue to be an area of contention between the East and West. This area is of growing importance as the post-Soviet
Azerbaijan’s energy future depends on tightrope diplomacy
Surrounded by regional and international heavyweights, Azerbaijan must use its specific brand of diplomacy if it is to realize its economic aspirations. With the EU clamouring for energy diversification and Washington
Is the Vilnius Summit an Eastern Partnership pre-mortem?
While news of the Vilnius Summit failure last week was dominated by coverage of the Ukraine’s decision to freeze negotiations with the EU, the Summit has also called into question
Autocracy in Azerbaijan threatens long-term investment
Despite enjoying rich energy resources with which to tempt FDI, Azerbaijan’s autocratic political climate remains a long-term liability to said investment. In Azerbaijan, foreign investment opportunities and geopolitical considerations take
Armenia to Join Eurasian Customs Union
Last week, Armenia publicly announced it would join the Russian-led customs union in a move that stunned EU officials, who already had completed negotiations on comprehensive free trade and political
