Policy Briefs

Energy Opportunities in the Greater Caspian Region: Unlocking Strategic Gains for Europe

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and the urgent need to reduce dependency on the Russian energy sector, the EU has intensified the diversification of its fossil fuel imports and expanded renewable energy sources in line with the REPowerEU plan to enhance overall energy security. A key aspect of this strategy has been increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from the United States, Norway, and North Africa. However, the need for diversified energy sources persists. The Greater Caspian Region, in particular, offers substantial potential for rapidly boosting exports within a short timeframe. To fully capitalise on the opportunities in the Greater Caspian Region, European companies and governments should navigate a complex landscape of geopolitical dynamics and infrastructural commitments. Balancing the urgent need for energy security with the long-term goals of sustainable development will be crucial for the success of these endeavours.

The Middle Corridor – Where The EU’s Global Gateway Meets the Belt and Road Initiative: What Potential for Complementarity?

The role of infrastructure in contemporary global politics is shifting and gaining growing attention. Aiming to increase global connectivity, the European Union’s Global Gateway (GG) strategy and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are at the centre of attention as infrastructure investment programs. Between the two, the Middle Corridor emerges as an area of potential increased future consortium, both geographically and strategically. What are the GG’s goals, principles, and financial mechanisms and how does it compare with China’s BRI? How do both strategies relate to the Middle Corridor and its potential for complementarity between the two initiatives? The path forward requires refinement, but the momentum is there and the potential for collaboration lies ahead.

From Landlocked to Landlinked: Transport Connectivity Development in Lao PDR

In December 2021, after five years of construction work, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) inaugurated its first major high–speed railway line. A feat of technology in a landlocked, mountainous country, the Laos-China railway links the capital Vientiane to the Chinese border in less than three hours. A year and a half later, in April 2022, the section was extended by almost 1,000 km to connect the Laotian capital with Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in southern China. Designed to open up the country economically to its partners in Southeast Asia, this railway line is shaping the future of Laos as a country at the confluence of many regional and international influences.

Reassessing Dependencies: The EU’s Path to De-Risking in Light of China’s Industrial Ambitions

China’s industrial policies are reshaping global trade dynamics, prompting the European Union (EU) to reassess its approach towards risk mitigation. As China strengthens its domestic supply market, particularly in high-tech and renewable energy sectors, EU policymakers are progressively facing pressure to decrease their reliance on China in sectors like critical minerals, magnesium and lithium. Amidst rising geopolitical tension and increasingly proactive action towards addressing the climate crisis, industrial policies have moved to the forefront and have gained traction worldwide, exerting significant influence on the international market. As a consequence, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the concept of ‘de-risking’, which has emerged as a major term among policymakers. The approach underscores the imperative for enhanced understanding, communication and common agreement between China and the EU to foster fair competition globally.

The Road to COP29: Potentials for the Greater Caspian Region and the Middle Corridor

As global leaders are to assemble in Baku, Azerbaijan for the 29th gathering of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) from 11 to 24 November 2024, the occasion may prove to be pivotal on several fronts. The COP29 summit, like its predecessors, will assess global carbon emissions and international efforts to combat climate change. It will also be a milestone for Azerbaijan to lead discussions toward effective climate solutions and to withstand the scrutiny often faced by host countries with significant energy production.

The Depleting Water Levels of the Caspian Sea: Why the Choice to Hold COP29 in Baku is So Pertinent

The Caspian Sea is gaining increasing centrality in new trade routes between Asia and Europe playing a fundamental role in promoting economic connectivity between the two regions. The conflict in Ukraine and the rising tensions in the Middle East and Red Sea have highlighted the vulnerability of current supply chains for essential commodities. Consequently, it has underscored the potential significance of the Caspian Sea and its surrounding states — especially Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan — whose energy reserves and potentials could help the EU diversify away from reliance on the Russian energy sector. Additionally, these countries are expected to play a crucial role in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the ‘Middle Corridor.’

Weighing the Pertinence of Dialogue and Diplomacy in Northeast Asia: The China-Japan-South Korea 2024 Trilateral Summit

More than four years after their last trilateral summit and against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and regional security threats, the long-awaited 9th summit between the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea), the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Japan finally took place in Seoul on 26-27 May 2024.

Thailand–EU FTA Negotiations: Hidden Hurdles and Easy Wins

Despite confidence from leaders, both parties are walking a tightrope between their international interests and domestic anxieties.

The EU’s Strategic Role in the Global Semiconductor Supply Chain and its Implications for Clean Energy

As our global economy becomes increasingly digital, AI-driven, and reliant on 5G networks, the demand for semiconductors will only continue to surge. These components are not only fundamental to technological advancement but crucial for geopolitical stability.