August 2011, Baku, Azerbaijan: Cityscape of Baku. Since the flow of money has poured into Baku thanks to the Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline, the Azeri capital has gone through intensive redevelopment. However human rights organisations criticise the way in which inhabitants of old Baku have been forcefully evicted from homes earmarked for demolition with inadequate compensation.
August 2011- Bakuriani, Georgia A shepherd seen near the highest point of the BTC pipeline near Bakuriani. Since it became operational in 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno Karabakh).
August 2011- Bakuriani, Georgia The Special services commander, Giorgi Pantskhava with his italian masif cane corso Maxim at their base in Bakuriani. Since it became operational in 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno Karabakh).
