If Germany and Europe do not want to fall behind global developments, they must take an active position on the South Caucasus — a region that is an energy supplier and a gateway to Central Asia. This is stated in an article by the German magazine Cicero.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing war between the United States and Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Europe’s attention is now focused on a region that for a long time was perceived primarily as a crisis zone.

For decades, the region was viewed almost exclusively through the prism of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh. War dominated the political perception, but not the assessment of this region’s geostrategic potential. After the launch of the peace initiative between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington on August 8, 2025, this view began to change in European capitals.

Border issues, demining, and confidence-building measures between Armenia and Azerbaijan have still not been fully resolved. Nevertheless, the strategic context has changed fundamentally. Europe is beginning to view the South Caucasus not only as a conflict zone, but also as a link between Europe and Central Asia.

Today, the South Caucasus is much more than just a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. It has become a key geostrategic component of European geopolitics and competition policy. By continuing to view the region exclusively through the prism of past conflicts, one may lose sight of its growing importance for Europe’s energy supply, industrial competitiveness, and access to Central Asia and emerging markets. Those who properly recognize the importance of this connection will shape the European order of the 21st century.