The coronavirus disease or COVID-19 originated from Wuhan in China in December 2019 and has since become both a major health crisis and a scare for the world. The initial confusion in understanding of the virus and clumsy handling in China aggravated the situation and it gradually engulfed the globe. The South Caucasus region remained unaffected for some time and no cases were reported until late February.[1] The infections mostly started with arrivals from abroad.
The three disputed territories in South Caucasus – Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh – remained free of coronavirus and there were no confirmed cases till end-March.[2] Despite international concerns local authorities went ahead and held parliamentary and presidential elections in Nagorno-Karabakh on 31 March 2020. Azerbaijan condemned the holding of elections and the European Union[3] and Non-Aligned Movement said they do not recognise the elections.[4] Azerbaijan is the current Chair of NAM (2019-2022) and a communiqué was issued by the Chair of the NAM's Coordinating Bureau.[5] Armenia is Observer at NAM and it has been critical of the Movement's stance on Nagorno-Karabakh.[6]
The territorial and ethnic conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh has killed thousands. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group is trying to bring peace. In March 2019, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met in Vienna for the first time under the auspices of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, which was also attended by Foreign Ministers of the two countries. The two leaders emphasised on creating conducive environment and tangible steps to find peaceful solution. However, so far, no concrete development has been observed on the ground.
Despite the late arrival, the south Caucasian countries are now facing the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and are concerned about the impact on human security, economy and social stability. They have adopted various measures to fight the pandemic in terms of their assessment of the developing situation.
Armenia
It is understood that the beginning of the COVID-19 was with an Armenian couple coming to capital Yerevan on 28 February by plane from Tehran.[7] Another report cites a Health Ministry official saying that the overwhelming majority of 110 cases detected were related to an employee of a factory in Yerevan and a woman who travelled to Armenia from Italy and spread the virus in the country.[8] Armenia is now reported to have 883 infected persons and eight deaths.[9]
Initially in February, the country took measures to stop travel from infected countries, gradually closing borders with them. A state of emergency was declared on 16 March 2020 for the duration of a month. The planned referendum on the powers of members of its Constitutional Court on 5 April 2020 was postponed. The government has adopted a series of 'activities' to deal with the crisis in the economic and social spheres,[10] including assistance to families affected by job losses due to the pandemic. Armenia has a budding relationship with China and had recently started a visa-free regime with Beijing. In view of the disease outbreak in China, the visa free regime has been suspended.[11]
Azerbaijan
To deal with the coronavirus fallout, Azerbaijan has established a crisis centre, which informed about the first case in the end of February. A foreigner travelling from Iran to Azerbaijan was tested positive.[12] As of now, Azerbaijan has reported 641 infections with seven deaths.[13] President Ilham Aliyev on the eve of Nauruz (19 March) announced a number of measures to deal with impact of the COVID-19 on the country. He assured that 'all measures' necessary are being taken to protect the 'health of the people' and the 'security' of country.[14] The government has acquired four 'state-of-the-art laboratories' and has 10 labs now. The government allocated about US$ 17.5 (30 million Azeri manat) to fight the disease.[15]
Amidst the pandemic, Azerbaijan also hosted President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on 11 March 2020 at Baku. Azerbaijan at that time already had 34 cases of COVID-19 infection and one death.[16] Around 20 bilateral documents were signed during the visit.
Georgia
Georgia was the first country in South Caucasian region to report the arrival of an infected person on 27 February 2020 from Iran via Azerbaijan.[17] Currently the country has 195 cases of infections with two fatalities.[18] Measures to check the spread of the virus include stopping Iranians from entering the country. From March 18 onward the entry of all foreign nationals, with certain exceptions, was banned.[19] President Salome Zourabichvili declared a state of emergency on March 21 for a month.[20] Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia announced more stringent lockdown measures on 30 March as the country reported cases of internal transmission. It was said that people in several regions refused to stick to rules making the lockdown necessary.[21]
The steps taken by the government and role of medical professionals are considered important in controlling the situation in the country. The government has allocated US$ 606 million to help the economy.[22] The country's critical Black Sea ports of Batumi and Poti remain functional. On 4 April 2020, the Prime Minister received two container ships at Batumi, one with 40,000 kg of food products while the other with 23,000 kg of food products and medicines.[23] It is not specified where the ships came from. The PM stressed the significance of the 'efficient operation' of the country's main ports in Batumi and Poti as food products and necessities are supplied through them and via land-based border checkpoints.
India's Prospective Role in the Region
India shares cordial bilateral relations with the three Republics of the region. In the evolving situation, information technology and IT enabled services have emerged as critical areas for sustaining interaction and engagement. Research and focus on ICT, biotechnology, medicine, 3D printing and robotics are likely to increase in near future. Both India and the regional countries can be in a position to share their experiences in these areas. The region is significant in India's energy requirements and connectivity with parts of Asia and Europe.
Armenia has made a move in this direction. President Armen Sarkissian has been actively engaging leaders and international partners across the world and holding regular consultations with them 'on the prevention, containment, and treatment of the coronavirus pandemic.'[24] He also held a video conference with the Ambassador of India to Armenia over the situation in two countries on the coronavirus outbreak. Opportunities of cooperation in fields of molecular biology, pharmaceuticals, including the production of generic drugs, were among the issues discussed by them.[25]
The Way Ahead
As of now the total number of cases in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia may not be very high, but the economic impact is going to be hard-hitting. Azerbaijan is a hydrocarbon producer and exporter while tourism has been a major source of income and employment for the three republics. Gridlock in the international economic system, almost nil international passenger movement, interrupted production and transportation, people staying at home, are taking a toll on the region's economies. The Asian Development Bank has predicted a slower growth rate in 2020 before the economies of the region gather momentum in 2021.
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*Dr. Athar Zafar, Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are that of the Researcher and not of the Council.
[1] My Geo, "Coronavirus in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan - only real facts for travellers," 3 April 2020, https://mygeotrip.com/coronavirus-in-armenia-georgia-and-azerbaijan, accessed on 4 April 2020
[2] OC Media, "Coronavirus infections in the Caucasus," Last updated: 7 April 2020 17, https://oc-media.org/coronavirus-live-updates-4-april/, accessed 7 April 2020
[3] European Union External Action, "Nagorno-Karabakh: Statement by the Spokesperson on the so-called presidential and parliamentary elections," 31 March 2020, https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/76801/nagorno-karabakh-statement-spokesperson-so-called-presidential-and-parliamentary-elections_en, accessed 7 April 2020
[4] Today.az, "NAM member-states do not recognize so-called "elections” in Nagorno-Karabakh,", trendz, 5 April 2020, http://www.today.az/news/politics/192675.html, accessed 7 April 2020
[5] "Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement," 4 April 2020, https://twitter.com/HikmetHajiyev/status/1246861257879232514/photo/1, accessed on 8 April 2020
[6] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, "Statement by MFA of Armenia on the final document adopted at the 18th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Baku," 28 October 2019, https://www.mfa.am/en/interviews-articles-and-comments/2019/10/28/mfa_statement/9919, accessed 10 April 2020
[7] Tass, "First case of coronavirus infection registered in Armenia," 1 March 2020, https://tass.com/society/1125241, accessed on 7 April 2020
[8] Asbarez, "Coronavirus Cases Surge in Armenia," 18 March 2020, http://asbarez.com/193115/coronavirus-cases-surge-in-armenia/, accessed 4 April 2020
[9] World Health Organization, “Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 78,” 7 April 2020,
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200407-sitrep-78-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=bc43e1b_2, accessed 8 April 2020
[10] The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, "Government to provide support to workers in a number of sectors, pregnant women and job-seekers: 3 new anti-crisis packages adopted," 30 March 2020, https://www.primeminister.am/en/press-release/item/2020/03/30/Cabinet-meeting/, accessed on 4 April 2020
[11] ArmenPress, "URGENT: Armenia temporarily suspends visa-free regime with China over coronavirus," 31 January 2020, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1003273.html, accessed on 4 April 2020
[12] My Geo, " Coronavirus in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan - only real facts for travellers," 3 April 2020, https://mygeotrip.com/coronavirus-in-armenia-georgia-and-azerbaijan, accessed on 4 April 2020
[13] World Health Organization, “Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 74,” 3 April 2020,
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200403-sitrep-74-covid-19-mp.pdf?sfvrsn=4e043d03_4, accessed 4 April 2020
[14] President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, "Message of congratulation of President Ilham Aliyev to the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Novruz holiday," 19 March 2020, https://en.president.az/articles/36212, accessed 4 April 2020
[15] President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, "Message of congratulation of President Ilham Aliyev to the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Novruz holiday," 19 March 2020, https://en.president.az/articles/36212, accessed 4 April 2020
[16] Aljazeera, “Coronavirus: Which countries have confirmed cases?,” 18 March 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/countries-confirmed-cases-coronavirus-200125070959786.html, accessed 18 March 2020
[17] My Geo, " Coronavirus in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan - only real facts for travellers," 3 April 2020, https://mygeotrip.com/coronavirus-in-armenia-georgia-and-azerbaijan, accessed on 4 April 2020
[18] World Health Organization, “Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 74,” 3 April 2020,
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200403-sitrep-74-covid-19-mp.pdf?sfvrsn=4e043d03_4, accessed 4 April 2020
[19] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, "Information regarding restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals to the territory of Georgia," https://mfa.gov.ge/News/%E2%80%8Bsaqartveloshi-uckho-qveynis-moqalaqeebis-shemosvl.aspx, accessed 5 April 2020
[20] President of Georgia, "State of Emergency Declared On the Entire Territory of Georgia By Order N1 Of March 21, 2020," 21 March 2020, https://www.president.gov.ge/eng/pressamsakhuri/siakhleebi/saqartvelos-prezidentma-2020-clis-21-martis-N1-brd.aspx, accessed 5 April 2020
[21] "Gov’t announces nationwide curfew," agenda.ge 30 March 2020, https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/980, accessed on 5 April 2020
[22] Margarita Antidze, "Georgian PM pledges $606 million to help economy in coronavirus crisis," Reuters, 1 April 2020, https://in.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-georgia-economy/georgian-pm-pledges-606-million-to-help-economy-in-coronavirus-crisis-idINKBN21J565, accessed 7 April 2020
[23] Government of Georgia, " Prime Minister Receives Two Ships in Batumi Port That Imported Total of 63,000 Kilograms of Food Products and Medicine," 4 April 2020, http://gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=547&info_id=75808, accessed 5 April 2020
[24] The Office to the President of the Republic of Armenia, " President Armen Sarkissian discussed via a video call the situation created by the new coronavirus with the Ambassador of India to Armenia," 30 March 2020, https://www.president.am/en/press-release/item/2020/03/30/President-Armen-Sarkissian-had-a-telephone-conversation/, accessed on 4 April 2020
[25] ibid