South Caucasus Region Research Articles

EU’s Actorness in the South Caucasus: Uneasy Alliance of NormativeE Power with Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building

The success of the EU in the South Caucasus region is limited due to the lack of insufficient commitment, inefficient tools, lack of comprehensive policy design taking into account the needs and priorities of the regional actors. The EU seems to restore its image and increase its visibility in the region after the II. Karabakh War in 2020. Post-war geopolitical context necessitates a durable security-building as a result of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The EU’s efforts show that it is in the process of re-defining a pro-active role in shaping the meditation and peace-making processes. The outcome will not only determine the nature of the EU’s involvement into the region but also the efficiency of its normative power in the future.

A Review on the Position of South Caucasus in China’s Belt and Road Initiative

On the “Belt and Road Initiative (B&R)” (Chinese: 一带一路), which is recognized as a global infrastructure development strategy by the People’s Republic of China, for the first time in his speech in Kazakhstan on 7 September 2013, Chinese President, Xi Jinping, spoke about the ancient ‘silk road’ and mentioned the establishment of the ‘Silk Road Economy Belt’. As of June 23, 2021, China had signed 206 cooperation documents which covered communications infrastructure, interconnection, investment, trade, finance, technology, people’s livelihoods, and oceans with 140 countries and 32 international organizations to join the “Belt and Road Initiative”. In 2020 alone, Chinese investors made direct investments of US$ 18.61 billion in 58 countries along the “Belt and Road Initiative” route. In China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”, the South Caucasus region, known as the middle corridor, is of great significance in the process of transition to Europe. Although Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia officially supported this Chinese initiative, the conflict, instability and changing geopolitics in the South Caucasus region made investors uneasy. In this study, global factors, the future of the “Belt and Road Initiative” in the region and the position of the South Caucasus were studied. And, the advantages and disadvantages of the initiative are evaluated.

İRAN'IN ERMENİSTAN VE AZERBAYCAN POLİTİKASI: JEOPOLİTİK REALİTELER VE KARŞILAŞTIRMALI ANALİZLER

ABSTRACT
 The Second Karabakh War that led to Armenia’s defeat as a result of Azerbaijan’s victorious counter-offensive dubbed as “Iron Fist” was not just a war fought between the two countries, but also a deciding factor of the new geo-political situation in the South Caucasus region. It is beyond a doubt that there are countries reluctant to accept these new geo-political realities that are trying to destabilize the situation and Iran is one of these states. Despite the Azer¬baijani people’s being part of the Islamic civilization and the country’s historical and cultural proximity to Iran, the Iranian state has placed an emphasis on gaining significant leverage of influence in the region, prioritizing Armenia in its quest for a strategic ally. Moreover, on many occasions, Iran has backed Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan either openly or covertly. Azerbaijan has sought to comply with the principles of good neighborliness, considering the current geo-political situation, instead of taking a tough stance against Iran. At the same time, Azerbaijan has established bilateral political, economic and cultural ties with Iran. Nevertheless, Iran moved to expand its relations with Armenia, keeping in mind its concerns over “the Azerbaijan Republic’s unification with the territories in northern Iran densely populated by Turkish”. From Iran’s viewpoint, Armenia fulfills the emerging task of protecting western and northern Iran from the influence of the Turks. On the other hand, capitalizing on the Armenian community’s political clout in the United States and Europe meets Iran’s interests. As for Armenia’s reasoning, it considers Iran as a country capable of revitalizing its economy and its approach to bilateral relations remains unchanged. Other factors contributing to the strengthened Iranian-Armenian relations included Turkey’s growing geopolitical influence in the region, and Azerbaijan’s close relations with Turkey. Although new geo-political realities emerged in the South Caucasus region during and after the 44-day war, Iran has been attempting to destabilize the situation ever since due to its reluctance to accept the facts. Unsurprisingly, ample evidence is available concerning Iran's cooperation with both Armenia and the separatist entity, as well as its involvement in joint illegal activities in the Azerbaijani territories that were under Armenian occupation for nearly 30 years. Azerbaijan liberated its territory from the Armenian occupation as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War, which led to the emergence of new geo-political realities in the South Caucasus. Evidently, Iran is utterly perturbed over this situation, given that the new geo-political environment inceases the influence of Azerbaijan and Turkey in the region as part of their cooperation. Furthermore, the strengthening of a strategic alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan and the expanding cooperation and integration in the Turkic world in general come into play. Overall, Turkic unity is an underlying cause of Iran's inability to grasp the current geo-political realities in the region. Iran definitely perceives Turkic unity as a threat. Therefore, it has consistently backed Armenia instead of supporting Azerbaijan, and this is currently the case as well. Although Iran certainly reserves a sovereign right to pursue its own policy and establish close ties with Armenia, taking sides, supporting this country and making defiant accusations significantly questions Iran’s attitude of good neighborliness toward Azerbaijan.

The influence of foreign direct investments on the economic development of South Caucasus countries

A nation's pace of economic growth in the South Caucasus region is directly influenced by the volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) it gets. This research project examines the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth and stability, with a focus on the three nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This research seeks to understand three important aspects: the trends in FDI influx; the industries that draw the highest concentrations of FDI; and the societal consequences of FDI. Examining these three crucial facets of the whole is the aim of this study. The goal of this study is to look at the trends in foreign direct investment (FDI), with an emphasis on the South Caucasus region's growing prominence as a desirable destination for financial investments. To achieve the objectives of this study, we will. Numerous various elements, such as its advantageous geographic position, an abundance of natural resources, and the formation of prospective markets, may be ascribed to its preeminence. The industries with the largest amounts of foreign direct investment (FDI) are also examined in this research, with an emphasis on the manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy sectors' critical roles in promoting economic growth. In this last section of the study, the socioeconomic effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) are examined. The creation of new job possibilities, the diffusion of recently produced technology, and the diversification of exports are some of these outcomes. One of the main topics of this conversation is how these effects contribute to raising the local quality of life and lowering the incidence of poverty. The aim of this research is to examine the many aspects of foreign direct investment (FDI) and how it affects the economic development of countries in the South Caucasus area of the globe. The purpose of this project is to provide useful information on the opportunities and challenges these nations face in their efforts to draw in and use foreign investments in order to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity. The data that will be offered will come from a range of sources, such as focus groups, questionnaires, and interviews.

From Conflict to Peace? Stateness Assessment of the South Caucasus countries at the crossroads of political processes from 2017 to 2022

The article reflects on the sustainability and security perspectives of the South Caucasus region. While discovering the different approaches to the notion of “stateness” and its assessment methodologies, the article brings up the problems of insufficient clarification of the concept, the need for further work on its conceptual and functional formulations. As the assessment also covers the non-recognized states, the peculiarities, difficulties and possibilities of stateness assessment of non-recognized states are revealed. The article proposes a definition of stateness and an integral model for stateness assessment, which would make it possible to carry out the stateness assessment of both recognized and non-recognized states within the framework of one model. With the help of the developed ‘Peace Index’, the article comprehensively assesses the levels of stateness of the three recognized: Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan; and the three non-recognized states of the South Caucasus: Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia through all four fields of stateness – political, economic, social and security for the years of 2017 to 2022. On the basis of the carried-out assessment, the article articulates policy recommendations for the South Caucasus countries and the region as a whole - guiding how to handle the current delicate situation in this strategically and geopolitically important region. The article suggests a) an immediate regional integration, b) economic cooperation as a key for conflict resolution, c) change of peace mediation format, d) support to the reconsideration of government-civil society relations format, making the civil societies of the South Caucasus states the inner constant peace-demanders and development-forcers - as the package-wise steps to transfer the South Caucasus region from conflict to peace.

The Issue of “Zangezur Corridor” in the Current Regional Developments

The article discusses unfreezing of economic and transport relations in the region after the Second Karabakh war, more specifically, the issue of “Zangezur Corridor” is observed by the Republic of Armenia as security standpoint. The article reviews United Kingdom’s Turkey’s, Russia’s, Iran’s, EU’s and US’ approaches to the issue of “Zangezur Corridor”. As a result of the involvement of the South Caucasus region in the processes of formation of a new world order, the security of the region has been eroded. As a result, the Republic, of Armenia has been facing new challenges. It is crucial to strengthen Republic of Armenia’s sovereignty and subjectivity as well as to conduct balanced foreign policy.

Identifying settlement strategy and land-use continuity of the prehistoric Şorsu Tepe in Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan

This study discusses archaeological research on the Late Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age cultures in the South Caucasus hilly flank belts, focusing on these societies' mobility and settlement strategies. The material record and site selection reflect changes in social structures. Pastoralism has played a significant role in Nakhichevan's history, but detailed records about pastoral activities, mobility patterns, and the evolution of pastoral strategies still need to be included. This study focused on Şorsu Tepe, an archaeological site in the Nakhichevan River Basin. We conducted stratigraphic excavations and sedimentological inquiries to understand the community's settlement tactics and adaptation strategies. The settlement's architectural evidence provides insights into past communities' daily practices, social structures, and organizational patterns. The geographical background of the study area, Nakhichevan, is described, emphasizing its strategic location connecting different regions. The excavation at Şorsu Tepe revealed three stratigraphic levels with distinctive phases, reflecting changing settlement strategies. This research has proposed terms like "Temporary Campsite," "Seasonal/Temporary Campsite," and "Long-term Stay/Seasonal Campsite" to describe the settlement stages. This study highlights the challenges in identifying the distinctions between nomadic and sedentary lifestyles, suggesting that the settlement at Şorsu Tepe could have served as a temporary campsite or summer pasture. In conclusion, this study underscores the significance of mobility and settlement strategies in shaping the cultures of the South Caucasus region during the Late Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age.

ჯუანშერ ჯუანშერიანი ცხოვრებაÁ ვახტანგ გორგასლისა მშობელთაÁ და თჳთ მის დიდისა და ღმრთისმსახურისა მეფისაÁ, რომელი უმეტესად სხუათა განთქუმულად გამოჩნდა ყოველთა მეფეთა ქართლისათა

Recent years have seen an increase in interest in medieval Georgian historiography. Many interesting studies are being produced. New editions and translations of texts are appearing. This is probably for several reasons. On the one hand, the material is vast, very interesting and still little developed. On the other hand, in the last two decades, it has received reliable research, which has resulted in a completely different perspective on Georgian medieval historiography. The work of the 11th century Georgian historian Juansher Juansheriani’s Life of Vakhtang Gorgasali is one of the complex and important monuments of medieval Georgian literature. It contains important information concerning not only Georgia, but also neighbouring countries and peoples (North Caucasus, Armenia, Caucasian Albania, Byzantium and Western Asia), their participation and role in the history of Georgia and the entire South Caucasus region. Closer analysis of the text itself leads to the conclusion that the Life of Vakhtang Gorgasali is an invaluable source, hence the increasing number of studies on specific aspects of the text today. Two works by Juansher have survived, The Life of Vakhtang Gorgasali and The Martyrdom of Saint Archil. It is generally assumed that the author of the texts dates back to the 11th century, while it seems that these works were written as early as the 8th century. It is also believed that the author of these texts may have been Leonti Mroveli, who wrote, among other things, The Lives of the Georgian Kings. The text includes a full translation and footnotes. All earlier editions and Old Georgian manuscripts were taken into account during the translation. Pages in brackets follow the pagination of the text contained in Kartlis Tskhovreba.

Azerbaijan's Strategy to Win the Conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh Territory with Armenia in 2020

Decades ago, Armenia and Azerbaijan, two countries in the South Caucasus region, had disagreements over a territorial dispute called Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1921, the Government of the Soviet Union annexed the predominantly ethnic Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijan. However, after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Armenian separatists seized Nagorno-Karabakh in an incident backed by the Armenian Government. Azerbaijan showed its distaste for this treatment, resulting in fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia, where around 30,000 people died. Before 2020, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict could be frozen due to strenuous peace efforts even though various parties had intervened to find the best solution. Until November 10, 2020, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to sign an agreement to stop the fighting that had been taking place in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The ceasefire was signed after Azerbaijani military forces managed to control most of Nagorno-Karabakh. This study uses an offensive realism paradigm to analyze Azerbaijan's strategy to win the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region with Armenia in 2020. The results revealed that Azerbaijan developed beneficial diplomatic relations with Turkey, Israel and Russia. These countries later assisted. One of them was the assistance of military equipment which enabled Azerbaijan to win the war against Armenia.

Ponticolaalasanicus sp. n. (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) from the Alazani River Basin, Georgia.

The South Caucasus Region and Georgia, in particular, is a biodiversity hotspot and characterised by high diversity of landscapes and ecosystems, as well as high levels of endemism. At the same time, diversity of freshwater organisms in the region remains poorly studied, including fishes. The freshwater fish fauna of the South Caucasus Region consists of 119 fish species, of which 13 species belong to the order Gobiiformes. It should be noted that gobies are amongst the poorly studied taxa in Georgia and probably unknown/undescribed species still living in the Georgian freshwater ecosystems which requires further research. Ponticolaalasanicus, a new species is described from the Alazani River, western Caspian Sea Basin, Georgia. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Caspian and Black Sea Basins by having the following features: dorsal fin with VI-VII spines and 15½-16½ branched rays, anal fin with 10½-12½ branched rays; lateral line with 48-55 scales; laterally compressed body with dark brown and black blotches - scales ctenoid; first and second dorsal fins almost touching with dorsal fins bases; head large, depressed, wider than deep, its length approaches almost 3.4th of standard length; nape scaled completely; cycloid scales cover upper part of opercle, cheeks noticeably swollen; snout longer than eye, eye diameter 4.5 times its head length; lower jaw slightly protruding; upper lip is uniform; pelvic disc short, elongated and flat, not reaching the anus; the pectoral fins extends vertically through first branched dorsal fin; caudal fin rounded. Ponticolaalasanicus sp. n. belongs to P.syrman group and it is separated by a minimum Kimura 2-parameter distance of 3.5, 3.6 and 4.8% from P.syrman, P.iranicus and P.patimari, respectively.

THE ROLE OF SCIENCE-INDUSTRY RELATIONS IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE KARABAKH REGION

Karabakh region, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, is a disputed territory located in the South Caucasus region. The region has been the subject of a long-standing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which resulted in a war in the early 1990s. The conflict was finally resolved in November 2020, with the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the two countries. The economic development of the Karabakh region has been a major challenge, given the ongoing conflict and the lack of recognition of the region by the international community. The relationship between science and industry has been recognized as an important factor in promoting economic growth and development. The Karabakh region, located in the South Caucasus, is a region with great economic potential, but also with a complex geopolitical situation. The role of science-industry relations in the economic development of the region has been discussed in recent years, but there is a need for a more comprehensive analysis of the topic. This article aims to explore the role of science-industry relations in the economic development of the Karabakh region. The article first provides an overview of the current state of science-industry relations in the region. It then identifies the main factors that hinder the development of science-industry relations, including lack of investment, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to knowledge and technology. The study also proposes measures that can be taken to improve science-industry relations and stimulate economic growth in the region. These measures include increasing investment in research and development, improving infrastructure, promoting knowledge transfer and technology transfer, and fostering collaboration between academia and industry. To achieve these goals, there are some key steps that need to be taken. First, the development of a strong and supportive policy framework is essential. This should include policies that encourage investment in research and development, as well as initiatives that support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. Furthermore, measures should be taken to strengthen the regulatory environment and protect intellectual property rights. It is important to establish a strong network of research institutions and industries in the region. This can be achieved through the creation of science parks, incubators, and other collaborative spaces that bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Such networks can promote knowledge exchange, foster innovation, and provide opportunities for training and skill development. It is crucial to ensure that the benefits of science-industry collaborations are shared equitably across the region. This means promoting inclusive growth and ensuring that marginalized groups, such as women and minorities, are not left behind. Efforts should also be made to ensure that the economic benefits of these partnerships are sustainable in the long term. In conclusion, science-industry relations can play a significant role in the economic development of the Karabakh region. By promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, this partnership can lead to sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits the region's population. However, achieving these goals will require a concerted effort on the part of policymakers, researchers, and business leaders to establish a supportive policy framework, foster collaboration, and promote equitable growth. This article highlights the importance of science-industry relations in the economic development of the Karabakh region and provides insights into the current state of science-industry relations in the region. The proposed measures can help to create a more conducive environment for science-industry collaboration, which can ultimately contribute to the economic growth and development of the region. Keywords: science-industry relations, economic development, Karabakh region, innovation, technology transfer.

A Debate on Main Aspects of Safety Management and Ergonomics in Georgia

Safety management and ergonomic working conditions are two of the decisive factors in the organizational health of employees. In recent decades, industrialized countries have experienced significant changes in the functioning of labor markets and safety management systems. Increased commodity market competition, highly turbulent aggregate demand, and rapid technological advances have contributed to increased pressure on labor efficiency. Safety management and ergonomic measures are considered as one of the main important aspects of organizational behavior, which is important to regulate both at a governmental and organizational level. It is necessary to mention that ergonomics considers the physical strength and size of people. It reduces the strain on the workplace and thereby improves a person's ability to work better. Georgia is one of the Post-Soviet Union countries, located in the middle of Europe and Asia, in the South Caucasus region, where capitalism and the market economy were implemented during the last two decades. The main aspects of safety management and ergonomics are interesting in the country, which are proved by laws and accepted by national governmental agencies. Each organizational unit must consider these aspects in order to improve and establish better conditions for the working process.

Russian policy towards the “rose revolution” in Georgia

The article is devoted to the study of Russia’s policy towards the Rose revolution, which took place in November 2003 in Georgia. It became the first color revolution in the post-Soviet space, during which a complex of technologies for changing political regimes, tested in Serbia three years earlier, again demonstrated its eff ectiveness. Despite the fact that many aspects of this color revolution have received decent coverage in the scientifi c literature to date, the position and policy of the Russian state in relation to this coup d’etat still remain virtually unexplored. The article provides an overview of Russian-Georgian relations in the post-Soviet period, analyzes the reaction of the Russian authorities to the parliamentary elections held on November 2, 2003 in Georgia, evaluates and systematizes the statements and concrete steps of Russian politicians and diplomats during the implementation of the Rose revolution. The authors used documents from the Archive of Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation, many of which are being introduced into scientifi c circulation for the fi rst time, electronic resources of Russian state authorities, materials from leading Russian and foreign media. It is concluded that in order to preserve political stability in Georgia, Moscow took a neutral position and even contributed to the settlement of the internal crisis in the country, but as a result of the color revolution anti-Russian forces came to power in Tbilisi, whose policy subsequently led to a significant deterioration of Russian-Georgian relations and to an aggravation of the situation in the South Caucasus region as a whole.

The Zangezur corridor as part of the global transport route (against the backdrop of power games in the South Caucasus region)

The restoration of historical transport routes and the creation of new ones is a strategic objective of most states in modern times. Located at the intersection of the North–South and East–West transport routes, Azerbaijan is currently recognised as an important transport and logistics hub. Successful cooperation with European Union countries in this field is taking place. The East–West and North–South international transport routes passing through the territory of Azerbaijan are very convenient for cargo transportation in terms of distance and duration. This paper discusses the plausibility of the Zangezur corridor being used (which is mentioned in the tripartite agreement that dates back to 10 November 2020) and highlights its importance as an integral element of the global transit route. A comparative analysis of different transit routes was carried out, and the advantages of opening this corridor for all stakeholders was justified.

The issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgian-russian interstate relations

In this article the authors explore historical and legal grounds of separatist tendencies in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the role of russia in stirring up the confrontation of autonomies with Georgia and influence of these processes on Georgian-russian interstate relations. In the authors’s opinion separatist tendencies in South Ossetia and Abkhazia are of a long-term nature and were shaping through Soviet national policy, the federal system of the USSR, lack of centralized power in Georgia during the period of disintegration of the USSR, dissatisfaction of regions because of Georgia implementing ethnonational policy, active participation of russia in inciting separatist movements. Over the years, russia has actually interfered in the internal politics of Georgia, explaining this with the concept of «special responsibility». russia’s policy was carried out under the guise of neutrality and peacemaking, which helped for a certain period of time to convince the international community that russia was trying to resolve the conflict.The rapprochement policy and creation of a system of agreements with self-proclaimed republics is part of Russia’s plan to maintain influence in the South Caucasus region, create obstacles for Georgia on its way to Euro-Atlantic integration, and prevent any US advance in the region. Prospects for conflict resolution in the short term are insignificant, since it is beneficial for russia to delay the frozen state as long as possible. On the other hand, Georgia is unable to solve the issue of the return of Abkhazian and Ossetian autonomies on its own without sufficient military power, economic potential and the support of Western allies, who currently have a war in Ukraine on their agenda. Therefore, the most likely development of events in the region is strategic patience, which over time will most likely benefit only one side of the conflict.

Between the West and Russia: Explaining Individual Foreign Policy Preferences in the Small States

Abstract This paper examines mass public opinion in three small states of the South Caucasus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, to understand why some individuals in these states prefer a pro-Western foreign policy orientation–pursuing membership in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU), while others do not. We draw on social identity theory to hypothesize the potential affinity some individuals feel toward the West. Using public data from the South Caucasus region where Russia has strongly attempted to block Western penetration, the paper demonstrates that the commitment to democratic values is central to the understanding of mass opinion over foreign alliances in small states: individuals who demonstrate pro-democracy attitudes and support democratic values are more likely to approve of pro-Western foreign policy orientation. These findings suggest that the study of foreign policy preferences in small states is important for our understanding of great power politics and alliance competition.

ГЕОПОЛІТИЧНІ ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЇ НА ПІВДЕННОМУ КАВКАЗІ В УМОВАХ РОСІЙСЬКО-УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ ВІЙНИ

The author made an attempt to comprehensively analyze the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus region. The evolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and its impact on the changing geopolitical environment in the South Caucasus region are considered. The reasons for the interest of global and regional international actors (USA, China, Russia, EU, UK, Turkey, Kazakhstan) in deepening cooperation with the states of the South Caucasus are analyzed.

Tourism in the South Caucasus Region During the Post-Pandemic Period

Tourism in the South Caucasus Region During the Post-Pandemic Period

Rusko-gruzijski petodnevni rat

The Russian-Georgian five-day war represents not only an extremely interesting military phenomenon, but also sheds light on the challenging corridors of the complex geopolitical framework in the South Caucasus region. Although this five-day war is relatively often mentioned in the domestic public during various military and political analyses, it is noticeable that there is no adequate fund of scientific papers and other professional analyzes that would follow this dynamic and level of interest. Certain events of a complex structure and character, which certainly includes a war, even a five-day one, require a certain time distance and passage of time, in order to create the conditions to draw objective conclusions, which would be useful in both scientific and social meaning. Although at that time this war seemed, conditionally speaking, as a fairly simple and successful operation of the Russian armed forces, it actually brought to the surface all the anomalies, not only of the Russian army, but also of the Russian society as a whole, with its multi-layered analysis. This contributed to the Russian state leadership making important decisions and making certain systemic changes, which brought progress to the Russian side, and added worries to the opponents. From the characteristics of this war, many other countries can also draw certain experiences, primarily for the most effective protection of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Предварительные выводы о современном состоянии гнездовой популяции беркута в Армении

The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) has one of the largest distributions of all eagles. The subspecies Aquila chrysaetos homeyeri occurs in the Republic of Armenia, country in the South Caucasus region, where it is recognized as a year-round resident and included in the Red Book of Animals of The Republic of Armenia as a “Vulnerable” (VU D1) species. However, in Armenia the state of the species population and abundance has been studied extremely poorly, which makes it difficult to organize its effective conservation without trustworthy data. There is only fragmentary, scattered information about the finds of nest sites or only about the locations where individuals were observed. In the 1990’s, in the South Caucasus, at least 75–100 breeding pairs were known, nevertheless, there is no exact data on Golden Eagles in Armenia. Various estimations were done for the species in the early 2000’s, varying between 20–80 breeding pairs. According to the Red Book of Animals of RA, published in 2010, the population of the Golden Eagle consists of 34–38 breeding pairs. Additionally, during our recent sporadic field studies of raptor species we did not observe nesting activities in many previously known Golden Eagle breeding territories. Hence, in order to understand the status and to clarify all the uncertainties, in 2023 we began targeted research on the Golden Eagle breeding population in the Republic of Armenia. During the short period, lasting from early March to mid-July, we managed to study most of suitable breeding habitats in Ararat, Vayots dzor, and Lori regions, and parts of Tavush, Kotayq, Shirak, and Aragatsotn regions (seven out of ten regions of RA). Following our study design, we checked known literature data in the field and reported breeding territories, as well as suitable habitats derived from preliminary GIS modelling. In the field we used 20–60×60 spotting scopes, 10×42 binoculars, and drone. According to preliminary results, during the first year of studies, only four confirmed active nests were located, of which three pairs had successful breeding (three nestlings fledged in the beginning of July), and one nest probably failed. Additionally, one nest was found renovated with green branches, however, birds were not seen in the nest (one adult bird was observed few kilometers away from the breeding territory). Two nests were located in Vayots dzor region, one in Ararat region, and one in Lori region. In addition, 19 non-occupied nests were found, mainly at a large distance from found active nests. Eleven non-occupied nests were found in Vayots dzor region, three in Lori region, two in Kotayk region, two in Ararat region, and finally one in Shirak region. Almost all abandoned nests were located in areas with various extent of anthropogenic activity (roads, pastures, settlements, etc.). The ongoing project is carried out in the framework of the project “Birds of prey research and conservation” of the branch of German Nature Protection Union (NABU) in the Republic of Armenia.