The EBRD predicted that growth in the South Caucasus and Central Asia in 2021 would be stronger than it initially expected, though it warned a slow pace of vaccinations left the recovery vulnerable to an autumn COVID-19 wave.

The government forecasts about 4 percent growth in 2021 – after registering negative growth of 4 percent in 2020.

The expulsion of the EU representative was linked to an order barring entry to EU diplomats deemed by Minsk as having a hand in drafting sanctions against Belarus - including the suspension of potash exports from Belarus, the key component of fertilisers.

Both leaders welcomed heightened ties with the EU. Baku said it invited the bloc to help with the post-war reconstruction of Azerbaijani lands looted and systematically destroyed during the Armenian occupation.

Mauro Longobardo, the plant’s CEO, said resource “rent” on iron ore mining would place an insurmountable burden.