RSC Director Richard Giragosian participated in a regional conference in Tbilisi on 9 June entitled, “Energy Security – Old and New Geopolitical Paradigm,” organized by the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. In his presentation, Giragosian assessed the broader geopolitics of energy in the Black, Caspian and Mediterranean Sea regions, as well as the Persian Gulf. The conference was also attended by Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and the Minister of Energy, Kakha Kaladze.

RSC Director Richard Giragosian briefed the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, on 12 April, on the current situation in the wake of the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh. The RSC also presented a more detailed three-page report, entitled “The South Caucasus: Regional Challenges and Concerns,” for the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) that included five key “lessons learned” from the recent resumption of hostilities over Karabakh as well a set of six policy several recommendations for the United Nations.

In response to the outbreak of open warfare along the Nagorno-Karabakh “line of contact,” the Regional Studies Center (RSC), an independent think tank in Armenia, convened a closed RSC Special Briefing on 4 April to offer a “Situational Assessment” of the military, diplomatic and political situation. 

The Regional Studies Center (RSC) held its latest monthly briefing on 30 March, with a presentation by RSC Director Richard Giragosian focusing on an analysis of domestic political developments in Armenia and an assessment of regional developments (briefing notes attached).

Marking the first day of an official two-day state visit to Armenia by Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, RSC Director Richard Giragosian noted the significance of the visit as an element in a broader effort to deepen and expand bilateral relations between Armenia and Georgia. The Georgian Foreign Minister will also meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, and will hold a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan.