The government of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is on a non-stop effort to totally overhaul the economy and image of Central Asia’s largest country.

Periodic shootouts have increased along the border, where a kilometre here or a metre there apparently is enough reason to unleash heavy calibre weaponry

The bank said that the new forecast would also reflect an improved outlook for Armenia and Georgia.

More fighting on Azerbaijan-Armenia border, Baku says may enforce border on own

Continuing border skirmishes and incidents have hampered efforts to officially demarcate the border between the countries. Concern is growing about the stability of the late 2020 Moscow-negotiated armistice.

The reality is none of the three countries are formal candidates for EU membership in the near future.