Eldor Shomurodov’s success making it into one of Europe’s most important national football leagues has generated a fresh flurry of ambition among young Uzbek players.
In spite of ascendant political ties between the two allies, the apparent temporary nature of the new agreement speaks to their differing economic priorities.
Unlike the last time the two sides explored restoring ties, Azerbaijan doesn’t seem to be trying to play the spoiler. But questions remain about Russia’s involvement in the process.
EU officials responded by saying that Tbilisi hadn’t fulfilled the conditions to get the loan. “You can't decline what you were not eligible for,” one said.
Political leaders on both sides of the border appear interested in restoring ties after nearly three decades. Kars, on Turkey’s northeastern frontier, has much to gain.
The remarks earned the country’s senior Islamic official a rebuke from a senior adviser to Turkey’s president and a smear campaign in Azerbaijani pro-government media.
The only question Georgian journalists had for the prime minister, as he attempted to host a pro-European summit of post-Soviet states: When will you step down?