Latest news in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, summary. Live

●  Former US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly and former Deputy Secretary of State David Kramer published a joint article on Georgia, stating: “Georgia was once the main US partner in the region, and its people remain pro-American, but the government is clearly leaning toward Moscow and increasingly resembles the Russian regime in its repression of the Georgian opposition and civil society.” With current ambassador Robin Dunnigan soon leaving her post, the authors expect the Trump administration to swiftly appoint a new ambassador who will “firmly criticize the Georgian government’s authoritarian and pro-Russian behavior.”

●  Opposition groups “Coalition for Change” and “National Movement – Unity” appealed to the Central Election Commission to retain their electoral number. “This is necessary for the effective functioning of the party, not for participating in elections under the current authoritarian regime,” said the Coalition for Change. Both groups have announced a boycott of the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for October.

●  French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad: “The OSCE and the European Parliament deemed Georgia’s October 2024 parliamentary elections unfair and, unfortunately, falsified. It is clear that a candidate country for EU membership must uphold the rule of law, freedom of speech, and minority rights. That is why at the European Foreign Affairs Council meeting, we made it absolutely clear that we will not tolerate this backsliding and are ready to take measures both at the European and national level to impose sanctions on those responsible. Unfortunately, this will slow down and freeze Georgia’s EU integration process. Visa liberalization may be revoked, sanctions against those responsible for the democratic rollback are being discussed, as well as the relevance of Georgia’s candidate status. These decisions could be taken either by the EU or by each of the 27 member states individually.”

●  “If the choice is between peace and stability or visa liberalization, of course, we’ll prioritize peace and stability,” said Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, commenting on the EU’s possible cancellation of Georgia’s visa-free regime. More on his statements here.

●  Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused the German ambassador to Georgia of “becoming a mouthpiece for opposition propaganda.” “This is no longer criticism; it’s a demonstration of political positioning,” he said.

●  Papuashvili also accused the EU ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, of refusing to provide information on EU- and member-state-funded projects in Georgia. The speaker expressed particular concern about the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), claiming that “the EU is trying to influence Georgia’s sovereign decisions and internal political processes.”

●  The National Bank of Georgia is discussing potential cooperation with China’s interbank payment system CIPS. This was reported in a press release following a meeting in Tbilisi between bank governor Natia Turnava and CIPS president Fu Huang. Interest in alternative systems is linked to the latest European Parliament resolution calling for Georgia’s disconnection from the SWIFT global payment network.

●  The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation issued a statement regarding the protests by manganese mine workers in Chiatura. The organization said that the reorganization was the only forced decision to preserve jobs in the difficult situation, and that the unions managed to secure certain social guarantees for both employees and those who were unable to find work.

●  The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the arrest of 20 individuals suspected of links to criminal groups. They are accused of mediating financial disputes for personal gain and organizing “criminal underworld meetings” in Georgia and Turkey. They face up to 15 years in prison.

Photo by Dato Pipia / JAMnews taken during the ongoing pro-European protests in Tbilisi, now continuing for almost eight months:

●  Russia has issued a search warrant for Shahin Shykhlinski, head of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Urals, after his son, Mutvaly, was arrested several days ago. All of this is unfolding in the city of Yekaterinburg, where in late June, special forces violently detained ethnic Azerbaijanis, killing two of them. According to a local outlet citing a well-informed source, Shykhlinski is possibly hiding in a hotel located in the Azerbaijani Embassy building in Moscow. The report says he is wanted in connection with a case involving violence against a police officer – the same charge under which his son was arrested. The incident is linked to detentions carried out during a security operation targeting the local Azerbaijani community. Police stopped a car with both Shykhlinskis inside, and at one point, Mutvaly suddenly reversed the vehicle and hit an officer. He told the court it happened accidentally and that he regrets the incident. The events in Yekaterinburg have led to a sharp deterioration in Azerbaijani-Russian relations. In Baku, a criminal case has been launched against Moscow — more details on JAMnews.

●  The trial has begun in the criminal case against Miradalat Talyshkhanov, who is under arrest and accused of making public calls against the state. Talyshkhanov denies the charges and claims he is being politically persecuted. The pro-government outlet Report noted that he previously worked in law enforcement.

●  During a visit to Baku by former president of Turkmenistan and national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev presented him with a Karabakh horse named Dostlug (meaning “Friendship”). The photo by Report is below. Some experts have described this visit as “ideological solidarity and mutual recognition of dynastic power among post-Soviet authoritarian regimes.”

●  The state oil company SOCAR has signed an agreement with Esyasoft Holding from the United Arab Emirates to create a smart gas network. The project aims to improve the efficiency of gas distribution operations, reduce losses, and optimize costs. It is planned to run for 14 years and includes the installation of 2.5 million smart meters. Investment is projected at $480 million. According to SOCAR, the project continues the cooperation agreement signed by the two companies during last year’s COP29 environmental summit in Baku.

●  The supreme audit institutions of Azerbaijan and Turkey will conduct parallel audits in the fields of climate change and agriculture. Azerbaijan has already signed similar bilateral memorandums with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, and China within the framework of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI). This was announced by Chairman of the Chamber of Accounts Vugar Gulmammadov, who said that a parallel audit of expenditures related to the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) has already been completed.

●  In just the first half of the year, around 10 million manats (roughly $6 million) were stolen from individuals and legal entities in Baku due to cybercrimes, according to the city prosecutor’s office. As a result of criminal investigations, over 53% of the total amount has been recovered, the statement says.

●  The top ten countries importing Azerbaijani oil from January to June were: Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, and the Netherlands. Overall, exports increased by 8.5% compared to the same period last year. New buyers of Azerbaijani oil included Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Bulgaria, and Austria. These figures were published by the Customs Committee.

●  The fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, made a statement on X regarding the delay of Armenian cargo at Georgian customs: “Blocking Armenian cargo undermines the spirit of centuries-old Georgian-Armenian friendship. Georgia should act as a true partner, not as a tool of pressure. Such actions erode trust and regional economic stability. This must stop immediately.”

●  In response, the Georgian Revenue Service stated this is disinformation: “Due to increased trade turnover, all customs procedures for vehicles involved in international transportation are carried out in a special/active mode to ensure smooth passage. […] The photos and videos circulating in the media do not reflect the real situation at customs checkpoints, including the Kazbegi checkpoint, where there were indeed minor delays for cargo trucks for a short time, which have been completely resolved.”

●  However, in Armenia, due to the prolonged delay of trucks carrying liquefied gas last week, its price rose by 20–25%. Recently, it was reported that the issue has been resolved and the trucks were allowed to pass.

●  From early May to the end of June, trucks carrying Armenian brandy to Russia were stuck at the Georgian border. During this period, protests were held in Yerevan outside the Georgian Embassy and government buildings. The problem was resolved only after Armenia’s Minister of Economy visited Tbilisi. Read more here

Armenian experts commented on the situation cautiously. When asked why Georgia, as a transit country, wasn’t letting Armenian cargo through, they suggested that “the reasons may go beyond trade and economic ties and may, for example, be political.” Georgian political analyst Paata Zakareishvili believes that this is a way for Russia to pressure Armenia: “Unfortunately, Georgia is acting as the glove of the Russian Empire, with which Russia is strangling Armenia’s economy. This is absolutely unacceptable and immoral,” he said.

●  “We welcome the process of normalization between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Our position on the opening of regional communications is well known. It must be done with full respect for the sovereignty of all parties,” said Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani in an interview on Public Television. He also noted that Iran considers Armenia’s diversification of its foreign policy a natural right: “We expect that the strengthening of Armenia-EU ties will positively impact Iran’s relations as well. The Armenian government has assured us that the development of its foreign relations is not directed against Iran, and we trust those assurances,” the ambassador said.

●  The issue of unblocking regional communications was also discussed in a phone call between Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan and his Iranian counterpart. Grigoryan reaffirmed that Armenia’s position remains unchanged and is based on the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ali Akbar Ahmadian confirmed that Iran supports Armenia’s approach and continues to back it.

●  “Brussels is trying to expand its influence in Yerevan through financial manipulation,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, expressing doubt about “the honesty of the deal.” “Brussels has repeatedly promised Armenia money. To what extent those promises have been fulfilled, you should ask in Yerevan: have they received the money or not?” she said. “We’re not going to check their wallets, but it seems obvious to me that this is a classic trick: handing out generous promises, then using financial incentives to gain control and benefit only themselves. The EU hooks third countries with so-called preferential loans and builds supposedly ‘pro-Western civil societies’ through grants,” Zakharova added. She also claimed that “the West repeatedly reports the same funds as ‘new financial aid’, but ends up giving much less, citing alleged non-compliance with conditions.”

During a recent visit by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Brussels, it was agreed that EU investment in Armenia would reach €2.5 billion. Read more here

●  The Prime Minister dismissed Romanos Petrosyan, head of the State Oversight Service. Earlier, there were speculations in local media that Petrosyan might be appointed head of the strategically important “Electric Networks of Armenia” company once it is nationalized. Currently, the company belongs to Russian dollar billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who is under arrest on charges of calling for a coup in Armenia. Read more here

●  Armenia is deepening its relations with Bulgaria. An Armenian delegation participated in the 9th session of the intergovernmental commission on economic and scientific-technical cooperation in Sofia. “This platform provides an opportunity to explore new, promising areas of bilateral cooperation, with a special focus on technological progress and innovation-based growth,” said Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan. During the visit, he also discussed digital cooperation potential with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev.

●  The court changed the pretrial detention of mother-of-three Liana Arutyunyan to a ban on leaving the country. She had earlier been placed in a detention center along with her 8-month-old daughter. The case caused public outcry and widespread discussion in the media and on social networks. Six MPs vouched for Liana, and the Ombudsman’s Office began reviewing the case.
Liana Arutyunyan is a translator and is being investigated for allegedly facilitating illegal migration. According to her lawyer, Zaruhi Postanjyan, a group of Indian citizens had tried for months to obtain residence permits in Armenia and had used Arutyunyan’s translation services. They were ultimately denied and left the country. “Therefore, there is no case of illegal migration,” said the lawyer, calling for urgent intervention by the European Court of Human Rights.

●  A criminal case has been opened for animal cruelty against a 62-year-old local man. A video circulated online showing him driving a car with a small dog tied to the trunk. The footage sparked outrage in Armenia. Other drivers stopped him, forced him to pull over, and called the police. The man was detained and taken to a station, and the dog was sent to a veterinary clinic.
Source

●  A monument to the famous chansonnier Charles Aznavour will be officially unveiled today in Yerevan (video below). It has already been installed on France Square. The event is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the beloved Armenian-French singer and composer. The sculpture was created by David Minasyan. Guests from France have arrived in Yerevan to attend the ceremony.

●  Giorgi Gorgadze (pictured below), a detained participant of the pro-European protests, has developed pneumonia, his lawyer reported. While confirming that Gorgadze underwent treatment, the lawyer insists it was insufficient and demands his transfer to a clinic for further examination.

Giorgi Gorgadze and four other arrested protest participants — Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliyev, Tornike Goshadze, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili — have been charged with group violence and face between 4 to 6 years in prison. Three other detained protesters — Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadzlelashvili — are accused of organizing and leading group violence. They face between 6 to 9 years in prison.

●  The European Commission for Migration and Home Affairs has addressed Maka Bochorishvili, the foreign minister from the ruling Georgian Dream party, requesting updated information on Georgia’s implementation of the recommendations given as an EU candidate country. In response to the “serious democratic backsliding” in Georgia, the Commission is considering suspending the visa-free regime and taking other measures. Brussels is demanding the repeal of controversial laws and urging the government to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights. The letter notes that the EU has already suspended visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports starting in January 2025, a move backed by 12 member states. Read more here

●  UK Foreign Secretary Stephen Doughty expressed concern over the arrests of opposition leaders in Georgia, calling it a political move aimed at restricting their participation in local elections. He said the UK ambassador in Tbilisi has conveyed these and other concerns in detail to the Georgian Dream foreign minister. Doughty stated that the UK, together with its partners, is considering how to respond to the Georgian Dream’s pro-Russian policies.

●  Estonia’s Foreign Ministry has voiced concern over violence against protesters and the crackdown on civil society in Georgia. The ministry said the European Union should “take a clear stance” and respond appropriately to the actions of the Georgian Dream government.

●  The Prosecutor’s Office has published a request to the popular opposition TV channel Mtavari Arkhi to provide full financial documentation, based on a court ruling. An investigation has been launched into alleged abuse of power within the company, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and money laundering. In February, Mtavari Arkhi’s team announced the suspension of broadcasting and accused one of its owners, Zaza Okuashvili, of deliberately creating financial problems. Previously, channel director Giorgi Gabunia suggested that Okuashvili might be acting in collusion with the ruling Georgian Dream party. Read more here

●  Georgia’s Revenue Service has denied claims that the country is obstructing the transit of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Armenia, where it is widely used for transportation. The service also called disinformation the reports that gas prices rose by 40% due to restrictions. “Someone is misleading the public, discrediting the agency, and trying to politicize this issue. Given the increase in cargo traffic, all customs procedures are being carried out under an enhanced regime to ensure smooth transit,” the agency stated.

●  A report of an attack on former head of Georgia’s State Security Service, Grigol Liluashvili, was made by Irakli Shaishmelashvili, a former Interior Ministry planning official who has since left the country. He claimed that Liluashvili was attacked at a Tbilisi restaurant by members of the criminal underworld and that a physical altercation took place.

●  NGOs have declared that the government of \[oligarch] Bidzina Ivanishvili bears full responsibility for putting Georgia’s visa-free regime with the EU at risk. This comes in response to reports that the EU has sent an official letter to the Georgian government concerning a possible review of the visa-free arrangement. The NGOs called on Ivanishvili to stop sabotaging the Georgian constitution and the country’s pro-European path, which is supported by the overwhelming majority of the population.

●  Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party “For Georgia,” currently abroad, stated: “Of course, I plan to return to Georgia. I’m ready to fight in any form and anywhere. We must all do our work where we are most effective. If I’m effective in Brussels, I will fight here. If I’m more effective in prison, I’ll fight from prison.”

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a five-hour press conference, addressing virtually all key issues of public concern. In particular, he said:

• Yerevan has indeed received a proposal from Washington on unblocking regional communications. Pashinyan said the proposal was unofficial but noted, “this is how most diplomatic work is done.” Recently, media reports have actively discussed the possibility of outsourcing the construction and maintenance of a road through Armenian territory to an American company. This road would link Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave. It remains unclear what specific functions the company would perform.

• “We want to make Armenia a transit country in the international, regional, and global sense.”

• “Armenia will not miss the opportunity to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, but will not forget about national interests.”

• “Yes, Armenia wants to become a member of the European Union.”

• “It’s more likely that we will leave the CSTO [a military bloc led by Russia] than unfreeze our participation in it.”

• “Armenia’s relations with Russia are undergoing a transformation. They will no longer be what they used to be.”

More on these and other topics addressed by Pashinyan here

●  “Pashinyans come and go, but Armenia remains,” said State Duma Defense Committee Chair Andrey Kartapolov. He believes the Armenian people do not support Armenia’s withdrawal from the CSTO. “Pashinyan makes such statements, but the final decision doesn’t depend on him alone — it also depends on parliament, international treaties, and the people’s interests,” Kartapolov said.

Armenia froze its CSTO membership after the bloc failed to respond to its request for assistance when Azerbaijani forces advanced into Armenian territory after the Second Karabakh War. CSTO allies said they couldn’t act because the border had not been officially delimited. Armenia interpreted this as the CSTO refusing to recognize its sovereign territory and its area of responsibility.

●  Kartapolov also said that the Russian military base in Gyumri would continue operations, since it functions under bilateral agreements, not within the CSTO framework.

●  “Let’s see what Armenia’s rapprochement with the EU will actually bring. Everything is known by comparison,” said Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov in response to Pashinyan’s statements.

●  The “Resilient Syunik” program will receive €50 million in funding. The agreement was signed at the headquarters of the European Investment Bank by Armenia’s finance minister and the bank’s vice president. The program is aimed at developing infrastructure in Armenia’s Syunik region, which borders Azerbaijan.

●  Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, who was arrested in Armenia for allegedly calling for a government overthrow, has now been charged with money laundering. The accusations involve funds allegedly obtained through the activities of several companies he controls. Karapetyan is the founder of the “Tashir” holding group, which operates several businesses in Armenia. The dollar billionaire denies all charges; his lawyers say the case is politically motivated.

●  A law allowing for the nationalization of “Electric Networks of Armenia,” a company owned by the arrested businessman Samvel Karapetyan, is being challenged in the Constitutional Court. The lawsuit was filed by opposition parliamentary factions led by two former Armenian presidents — Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan — both seen as pro-Russian politicians.

The opposition expects the Constitutional Court to rule the law unconstitutional. In the meantime, they are demanding that its implementation be suspended. They also warn that “if ENA is nationalized, the country’s energy system could collapse.” More on the ENA nationalization here

●  At the invitation of the United States European Command, Armenia’s First Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff Edward Asryan traveled to Germany to participate in the U.S. Army Europe Land Forces Command Conference. Asryan also held meetings with senior officers of the U.S. and European land forces. A working meeting also took place with the commander of the French land forces, during which Armenian-French military cooperation was discussed.

●  “Azerbaijani forces have installed a large radio intelligence tower covering a vast area of Armenia,” reported journalist Voskan Sargsyan on social media. The site is located in Armenia’s Tavush province, near the border with Azerbaijan, where demarcation has already been carried out. “The tower is clearly visible from the Armenia–Georgia interstate highway,” Sargsyan wrote, posting a photo of the site with the new tower (see below).

●  Ombudswoman Sabina Aliyeva organized a visit for the mothers of Russian citizens detained in Baku to see their sons in pretrial detention. The Russian consul was also allowed to visit the detainees several times and told Russian media that they are being held in good conditions.

The arrests of dozens of Russian citizens in Baku took place after two ethnic Azerbaijanis were killed by Russian special forces during an arrest operation in Yekaterinburg. Dozens were detained and reportedly subjected to violence. The detained Russians are accused of espionage and cybercrimes, and among them are editors of Russia’s major state media outlet, Sputnik. More details here.

●  In Yekaterinburg, the pretrial detention of eight ethnic Azerbaijanis arrested during the June 27 raid has been extended until October 19. They are accused of involvement in murders committed in the 2000s.

●  Azerbaijani media are covering Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan’s positive remarks on his July 10 bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi. “For the first time, the sides agreed in advance to meet and hold talks. The discussion was very useful and could yield positive results. I hope we will continue this dialogue in the same format,” Pashinyan said during a press conference in Yerevan, without revealing any details.

●  Azerbaijani media are also highlighting Pashinyan’s statement that he “will not allow the existence of a second state on Armenia’s territory,” referring to the Armenian prosecutor general’s decision to shut down the so-called “representative office” of the separatist regime from Karabakh.

●  Media in Azerbaijan are actively discussing Pashinyan’s comments on a potential third-party control over the Zangezur corridor—a road intended to connect mainland Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory. The Armenian prime minister did not rule out the possibility of outsourcing management of the route to a private company. He said, “Not only the US is interested in outsourcing this road, but also other countries, including the EU and China.” He cited existing examples of similar arrangements: “For example, the management of Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport is outsourced. The same applies to the management of the water supply and railway systems. I don’t believe this undermines Armenia’s jurisdiction or territorial integrity in any way.” Pashinyan emphasized that all of these infrastructures remain state-owned. “It surprises me that some forces or individuals portray the reopening of rail transit through Armenia as a tragedy. The real tragedy is that such a route doesn’t exist,” he added.

●  Azer Gasimli, the arrested director of the Institute of Political Management and a political analyst, stated during a court hearing that he not only rejects the charges of extortion through threats and intimidation but considers himself a victim. During the hearing, the indictment was formally presented to him, and he declared that everything written in it is false. Gasimli has been in custody since December 8 of last year. The charges against him carry a potential prison sentence of 5 to 10 years. Prior to his arrest, he had been banned from leaving the country.

●  The Court of Appeals has rejected the request to transfer Bashir Suleymanli, head of the Institute for Civil Rights, from pre-trial detention to house arrest. His detention, along with that of several other representatives of non-governmental organizations arrested with him, has been extended for another 3 months. They were arrested in March and charged with fraud, money laundering, and abuse of power. All detainees deny the charges and claim they are being persecuted for their human rights work.

●  Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty (parliament), Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is on an official visit to Azerbaijan. He held a meeting with president Ilham Aliyev.

●  The Azerbaijan–Vietnam Business Council and Business Forum is underway in Hanoi. Five agreements have already been signed to expand mutual investments and strengthen business ties in trade, textiles, food production, and renewable energy.

●  Azerbaijan’s State Oil Fund announced it holds shares in 1,400 major companies across 23 countries.

●  Three mineral deposits will be put up for auction: the “Mukhas-Dashagilchay” deposit (16 ha) in the Oghuz district, the “Katekhchay” deposit (1.5 ha) in the Balakan district, and the clay deposit “Nidzh” (3.5 ha) also in Oghuz, according to the pro-government outlet Report. Both local and foreign legal and natural persons are invited to participate.

●  The relocation of thousands of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) continues to areas retaken from Armenian control after the Second Karabakh War. Today, another 43 families—176 people in total—moved into their new homes in the village of Kangarli in the Aghdam district (see photo). For decades, they had to live in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings across the country. In total, more than 43,000 people are now living in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions. In Azerbaijan, this process is referred to as the “Great Return.”

● Due to Georgia’s authoritarian shift, the country may lose its visa-free travel arrangement with the EU, in place since 2017. This was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. “We will send Georgia’s ruling party a letter regarding visa-free travel with specific conditions. If those conditions are not met by the deadline, we will be forced to suspend the regime,” she said. Later, Radio Free Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak clarified that the deadline for meeting the conditions is August 31.

●  Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili demanded a public apology from Kallas. “Instead of apologising for the disinformation and slander directed at Georgia’s judiciary, the EU’s top diplomat continues to attack our judges and threaten them with repressive measures,” he said, accusing Kallas of violating European standards.

● Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski commented: “I was born under communism—an authoritarian regime that occasionally allowed us to leave the country. We were grateful to nations like Austria, Sweden, and West Germany, which welcomed us without visas—it was our window to the world. That’s why we believe visa restrictions should target those responsible for the repression, not the Georgian people.”

●  “Georgia is facing a deep internal crisis triggered by election fraud. The EU must respond decisively and with a united position,” said Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, in an open letter to EU foreign ministers and High Representative Kaja Kallas. “Inaction could cost the EU a strategic partner and set a dangerous precedent at its borders,” she warned.

● Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said: “We must respond to the current situation in Georgia by strengthening support for civil society. An overwhelming majority of Georgians want to join the European Union. In Lithuania, more than 60% of the population supports Georgia’s EU integration. The responsibilities lie on both sides: Georgia must uphold human rights standards, and European states must provide full support.”

●  A search was conducted at a business center in Tbilisi owned by businessman Lasha Papashvili, who is known for his public support of the authorities and especially of Georgia’s shadow ruler Bidzina Ivanishvili. According to the Finance Ministry’s investigative service, the operation was part of an ongoing investigation into so-called call centers. Documents and electronic devices were seized. The agency clarified that the companies under investigation rent office space in Papashvili’s business center but are not otherwise connected to him.

●  The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has seen a reshuffle. According to the ministry, the head of the Land Transport Agency, the director general of the State Oil and Gas Corporation, and—last week—the head of the Maritime Transport Agency have all stepped down voluntarily.

●  Georgian teenagers are facing serious literacy challenges, according to a new report by UNICEF. The study highlighted particular difficulties with written expression, clarity of thought, and critical thinking. Mental health also remains a major concern.

● In Yekaterinburg, Russia, the son of the head of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Urals, Shahin Shykhlynski, has been detained. Mutvaly Shykhlynski was arrested for 48 hours pending trial, and a search is expected to be carried out at his residence. Local media report that he allegedly hit a special forces officer while driving. It’s also noted that a criminal case has been opened against Shahin Shykhlynski himself, though the charges have not been specified.

On June 13, special forces in Yekaterinburg conducted a violent crackdown on members of the local Azerbaijani community. Two people were killed, and several others injured. The incident caused a serious strain in Azerbaijan-Russia relations.

● The EU has extended the mandate of Magdalena Grono, Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, until August 31, 2027. “This decision reflects the strategic importance of the region in EU foreign policy […] The South Caucasus is a zone of geopolitical rivalry where the EU seeks to promote peaceful conflict resolution, including in Georgia,” the EU stated.

● “Azerbaijan is looking to deepen ties with the U.S. and may soon reach agreements with Armenia and Israel. This would not only open significant commercial opportunities for American businesses but also reshape the global geopolitical landscape,” said Mike Waltz, nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

● The Ministry of Defense held a working meeting with NATO experts. Discussions focused on prospects for cooperation within NATO’s “Individually Tailored Partnership Program” and the “Planning and Review Process,” according to the state agency APA.

●  President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marking the ninth anniversary of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. According to official accounts, a faction within the military and police sought to overthrow Erdoğan. Over 250 people were killed in the ensuing clashes.

● The trial of Rufat Safarov, director of the human rights organization Line of Defense, has begun after seven months in detention. He is charged with fraud and aggravated hooliganism—accusations he categorically denies, calling the case politically motivated. The charges carry up to 10 years in prison. At the first hearing on July 15, Safarov stated: “There are around 400 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Our young female journalists are behind bars. Hundreds of people—religious leaders, political activists—have been smeared and jailed. In such a grim Azerbaijan, a human rights defender with any conscience cannot remain silent.” The next hearing is scheduled for September 8.

● The conference “Modern Information Space and Freedom of Religion” is underway in Shamakhi, jointly organized by the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations and the Media Development Agency. Attendees include officials, media representatives, theologians, and religious leaders. Two sessions have already been held: “Religion and Media Relations: New Goals and Challenges” and “Freedom of Religious Expression and Freedom of Speech.” A media tour of Shamakhi’s religious landmarks is planned for today.

● “Radical religious movements and certain foreign religious centers pose serious threats to Azerbaijan’s national security. False information, distorted religious messages, and manipulative content are being deliberately spread—not only to damage Azerbaijan’s image, but to turn people against each other,” said Ramin Mammadov, chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations.

●  The State Committee has announced the creation of mini-libraries in 250 mosques across the country. “The shelves will feature literary works from all eras and regions, including religious texts—from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and Nizami Ganjavi’s Leyli and Majnun to modern literature,” said Deputy Chairman Gunduz Ismayilov.

●  The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of the now-defunct unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Armenian citizen, continues. He is charged with torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and other offenses. According to pro-government outlet Azertag, Vardanyan made three requests: access to the minutes of the preliminary hearings, access to rulings on all motions he submitted, and confidential meetings with his lawyer before each court session. All requests were granted, with the court noting that such access had already been provided and would continue. “The session also heard testimonies from victims and relatives of those killed during Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories,” Azertag reported. The next hearing is scheduled for July 22.

● The administration of the Turkish president declined to comment on reports that the United States might take control of the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” — a transport route that would connect Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan via Armenian territory.c“We are not aware of this, so we cannot comment,” Erdogan’s administration told RIA Novosti.

The question was prompted by remarks from U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrett, who suggested Washington might assume control of the corridor to help resolve the long-standing conflict between Yerevan and Baku. Azerbaijan insists the road must have extraterritorial status — meaning Armenia would have no control over it. Yerevan, in turn, maintains it is ready to unblock regional communications, but not at the expense of its sovereignty.

This position was reiterated by Armenian Prime Minister’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan. Responding to a query from Armenpress, she stated: “Armenia has not discussed and is not discussing the transfer of control over its sovereign territory to a third party. We have repeatedly stated that Armenia considers the issue of unblocking regional infrastructure exclusively within the framework of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and jurisdiction of the Republic of Armenia.”

●  Russia’s First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Konstantin Zatulin, told RTVI that the transfer of the route under U.S. control could in fact be part of a real plan. “I even believe that all the recent escalations in Armenian-Russian and Azerbaijani-Russian relations are tied to the fact that both Azerbaijan and Armenia have been deliberately ramping up tensions to avoid consulting Moscow about the Zangezur Corridor,” he said. Russia itself seeks to control the route, but Armenian authorities categorically reject that possibility.

●  Pro-Russian opposition media in Armenia report that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan allegedly refused a request from the family of former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic State Minister Ruben Vardanyan to ask Donald Trump for help securing his release from an Azerbaijani prison. According to the outlet Graparak, Trump would have agreed to intervene if he had received an official request from Yerevan. However, Armenian authorities reportedly declined, citing concerns that such a move could undermine the peace process.

●  One of the most widely discussed topics on Armenian social media was the arrest of a large group of cybercriminals. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, law enforcement officers raided the suspects’ office in Yerevan and detained everyone present. It was found that members of the group were hacking the bank accounts of Armenian citizens and transferring funds into cryptocurrency. Thanks to swift police action, the suspects did not manage to destroy key electronic evidence. “Computers and mobile phones belonging to the criminal group were found, equipped with special applications designed to prevent their identities from being exposed,” the Ministry reported.

●  Armenian Deputy Defense Minister Karen Brutyan met in Warsaw with Polish Deputy Defense Secretary Pawel Bejda. The two discussed expanding defense cooperation between Armenia and Poland.

● Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee has brought charges against former mayor of Etchmiadzin Diana Gasparyan, who held the post for seven years. Media outlets had previously published reports linking her to the business interests of her husband’s family, including a criminal case against her father-in-law over allegedly illegal construction. According to the investigative outlet Hetq, the family was building private homes on city-owned land. In May, Gasparyan resigned, citing a desire to “focus on her family.”

●  The mayoral post in Etchmiadzin had remained vacant since May. The acting mayor has now been named as Argishti Mehakyan, governor of Armenia’s Armavir region.

●  Search and rescue operations are ongoing at Tbilisi’s Station Square, where a residential building collapsed yesterday. Local media report two fatalities. City Hall is relocating residents to a hotel. Mayor Kakha Kaladze said the building was in an emergency condition.

●   The UK Ambassador to Georgia, Gareth Ward, issued a sharp critique of the ruling Georgian Dream party: “The UK government sees the detention of journalists and increasing repression against critics as evidence of democratic collapse in Georgia. The UK is proud to be a member of the Media Freedom Coalition, defending the rights of independent journalists globally. Many Coalition members are especially concerned about the worsening media freedom in Georgia, including the politically motivated trial of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli for criticizing the government. The UK foreign secretary and other European partners have called on the Georgian authorities to release unjustly detained politicians, journalists, and activists, repeal repressive laws, and launch a national dialogue to resolve the crisis,” Ward wrote on Facebook.

On July 11, the UK Embassy in Georgia published a joint statement from 17 foreign ministers and the EU’s High Representative condemning the arrest of opposition leaders as politically motivated and aimed at suppressing the opposition just months before local elections.

●  Georgian Dream prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze strongly condemned the UK ambassador’s statement: “When a European official encourages violence, it is deeply unfortunate. The statement is filled with disinformation. The UK itself has serious problems with media pluralism, press freedom, and deep state influence. The ambassador should focus on the issues in his own country. As for Georgia — we will not tolerate the encouragement of violence, even from British officials.”

●   Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, reported abuse and humiliation by police during a court hearing. She is under arrest for slapping Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze after he insulted her during a protest. She faces up to seven years in prison for allegedly assaulting a police officer. “Dgebuadze spat at me. I felt unwell, asked for water and to use the restroom. He said, ‘No water, no toilet.’ One officer even said, ‘Let her hands stay cuffed behind her back.’” Throughout the hearing, she clashed several times with prosecutors.

●  Former Co-Investment Fund head Giorgi Bachiashvili, once a close adviser to Ivanishvili, was reportedly severely beaten in pretrial detention and later transferred to Vivamed clinic. He says the attack was part of a campaign to pressure him into surrendering his assets. He demands solitary confinement, stating his life is at risk. Bachiashvili fled Georgia months ago, was forcibly returned in June, and is now under arrest for alleged embezzlement. Read more here

●  The Special Penitentiary Service issued its version of events, claiming that the incident involved a fight between Bachiashvili and another inmate, with both sustaining injuries. Reports of a beating were dismissed as “yet another slander campaign.”

●   “The attack on Giorgi Bachiashvili in prison reveals the true face of the criminal regime. Its ringleader is Bidzina Ivanishvili, who governs the country from the shadows. His governance mirrors Russia’s style — violent and repressive,” wrote imprisoned opposition leader Mamuka Khazaradze (Lelo–Strong Georgia) on Facebook.

●  5th president of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili: “Let me remind everyone that it was due to cruel and unjust treatment in prisons that the previous regime collapsed. Responsibility lies not only with those who give orders but also with those who carry them out. This country is ruled by lawlessness. What happened to Giorgi Bachiashvili — severe physical abuse in custody — is not Georgia, not our tradition, not our justice. This is another regime, another country, and we will not accept it.”

●  Economy minister Mariam Kvrivishvili (Georgian Dream) met in Tbilisi with Rovshan Rustamov, head of Azerbaijan Railways. This was a return visit — last week Kvrivishvili was in Baku to discuss resuming passenger rail service. Both sides stressed that restoring this link would boost tourism and economic ties.

●  Georgia has launched a pilot program for sterilizing and vaccinating stray and domestic animals, with nearly 5 million GEL (~$1.8 million) allocated from the state budget. By year’s end, about 9,000 stray animals will be treated in Kakheti, Imereti, and Adjara regions.

This photo and video are from yesterday’s pro-European march in Tbilisi. For nearly eight months, Rustaveli Avenue and the parliament building have been the center of continuous pro-European protests. But yesterday was different: instead of chants and loud music, there was silence. Demonstrators dedicated the march to a tragic incident — an old building collapsed in central Tbilisi earlier that day, reportedly killing two residents.

For nearly eight months, Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue has been a focal point for pro-European protests, and tonight, the scene is markedly different. The street is blocked by protesters, but instead of the usual chants and slogans, a somber silence envelops the crowd. This… pic.twitter.com/GNkzdNn9ye

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) July 14, 2025

●  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (pictured below). According to their joint communiqué, the EU and Armenia “confirmed their deepening partnership.” The EU is expected to invest up to €2.5 billion in Armenia as part of this initiative. Armenia will be included in the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. The EU will also allocate €1.5 million to support Armenia’s media environment and strengthen independent media.

●  While in Brussels, Pashinyan also met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who welcomed Armenia’s “ambitious democratic reform agenda” and said she would visit Yerevan soon to further discuss joint programs. Pashinyan reaffirmed his government’s commitment to deepening ties with the EU. More on the Armenian PM’s meetings with European partners here.

●  On Monday evening, Pashinyan flew to Paris, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace (pictured below). Pashinyan congratulated Macron on France’s National Day. Macron reaffirmed his commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Armenia. A range of bilateral issues and joint projects were discussed.

●  Armenian media are discussing the content of Pashinyan’s congratulatory message to Macron, in which he highlighted the historic ties between the two countries and their “close political dialogue that has evolved into a strategic partnership.” The message concluded with a reference to a possible state visit by Macron to Armenia this year. Opposition media are raising questions about why Macron has not yet made a state visit if the relationship is truly at a strategic level.

●  At a White House meeting with the NATO Secretary General, U.S. President Donald Trump said the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is likely to be resolved soon. “It looks like things are heading toward a successful conclusion,” Trump said.

●  The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey said Washington might lease land in Armenia for the implementation of the “Zangezur Corridor” — a potential route connecting mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave via Armenian territory. Yerevan insists it must retain full control over any such road, while Baku wants it to be extraterritorial. In recent weeks, speculation has grown that the U.S. could take on this role to help resolve one of the most sensitive issues in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations.

●  “Armenia has not and will not discuss handing control of its sovereign territory to any third party,” said Nazeli Baghdasaryan, spokesperson for the Armenian prime minister, in response to a media inquiry. “We’ve repeatedly stated that Armenia is open to unblocking regional infrastructure only in the context of territorial integrity and Armenian jurisdiction. As for leasing land, under Armenian law this is only allowed for agricultural use, meaning the ambassador’s scenario is impossible,” she said.

The “corridor” has long been declared a red line for Armenia. Officials have consistently said they are ready to open routes for Azerbaijan to access Nakhchivan but reject any arrangement that does not guarantee full Armenian control over its territory.

●  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected to hold a press conference tomorrow, July 16, to reveal details of his recent meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi. “Some announcements will be made soon, and several issues on which Armenia and Azerbaijan have reached consensus will be clarified,” said Taron Chakhoyan, deputy head of the prime minister’s office.

●  Armenian social media users called a report by Azerbaijan’s Public Television a “provocation” after it referred to Yerevan as “Irevan” and to Armenia as “Western Azerbaijan.” Users commented: “This proves Azerbaijan’s peace rhetoric is fake.”

●  Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan wrote on social media that Georgia has allowed 99 tankers of liquefied natural gas into Armenia. Last week, prices for LNG in Armenia rose by 20–25% after Georgia initially blocked Armenian imports.

●  Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who is under arrest for allegedly calling for a power grab, announced plans to launch a new political force. “I respect the political actors who are fighting against Nikol Pashinyan’s anti-national policies, but we have our own vision for Armenia’s future,” he said. “We’ll form our own team and try to unite people around fair and noble goals. We reject the artificial divisions imposed on society by these authorities.” He said the formation of the team is already underway.

●  The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has been reconnected to the national grid after nearly two months of scheduled maintenance. It was completed one day earlier than planned.

●  Armenia has updated its “Arm Roads Info” mobile app, which allows users to send and receive updates on the condition and maintenance of roads across the country. The app is available in Armenian, English, and Russian.

●  “Washington is ready to manage the 32-kilometer Zangezur Corridor under a 100-year lease agreement,” said US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack in New York. The Zangezur Corridor would connect mainland Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave by land, passing through Armenian territory. Yerevan insists it will control its own section of the road, while Baku demands an extraterritorial corridor managed by a third party. Barrack said the US proposal aims to “facilitate diplomatic progress between Azerbaijan and Armenia” and would allow both sides to use the route. This was the first official confirmation of earlier reports that the Trump administration had proposed placing the corridor under the management of a private American commercial operator acting as a neutral guarantor.

●  The Turkish presidential administration is “not aware of any US plans to manage the Zangezur transport corridor and therefore cannot comment,” a source told the pro-government outlet Report.

●  US President Donald Trump said at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington that the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict “will soon be successfully and finally resolved.” “The US has worked toward a settlement, and it looks like it’s coming to a successful conclusion,” he said.

●  French President Emmanuel Macron posted in X: “Signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan soon would open a new chapter for all countries and peoples in and beyond the region.” This followed his meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Paris.

●  Azerbaijani media are actively discussing Nikol Pashinyan’s visits to Brussels and Paris. In Brussels, he met with European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. The sides reaffirmed their commitment to political dialogue and expanded economic partnership.

●  The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank “will prioritize projects that enhance Azerbaijan’s role as a strategic transport hub in Eurasia,” said bank president Serhat Köksal. He named the Middle Corridor, North-South route, and the Silk Road as key projects to boost trade and cooperation between member states.

●  On July 16, the first meeting of the Azerbaijan–Vietnam Business Council will take place in Hanoi.

●  The Azerbaijani Press Council called an open letter from the Russian Union of Journalists a “manipulative attempt to mislead international public opinion.” The letter had protested the arrests of editors Igor Kartavykh and Yevgeny Belousov from Sputnik Azerbaijan. The Press Council said their arrests had nothing to do with journalism and were based on Azerbaijani law. The Council also condemned anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric in Russian media and noted that Azerbaijani outlets had been blocked in Russia since 2022. “Only after the investigation ends can any conclusions be made,” they stated.

● Milli Majlis has approved a package of amendments to the law On Media, introducing new requirements. Among them:

• • Branches and representative offices of foreign legal entities operating in Azerbaijan’s media sector will now also be considered media entities.

• • To obtain a license to operate in Azerbaijan, an agency must have at least 20 contracts with other media entities and accredited journalists in at least five foreign countries.
• • For at least 20 days of each month, no less than 80% of the published content must comply with the requirements of the Law “On Media.”
• • The agency must be registered in the official media registry; otherwise, it will be shut down, and access to its website will be blocked.

●  The trial of former leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continues. They face charges including war crimes, terrorism, and attempts to overthrow the state. State agency AZERTAC reported that dozens of victims and witnesses described killings of civilians and abuse of prisoners by Armenian forces, including survivors of the Khojaly massacre. The trial will resume on July 17.

●   Over 4,000 undocumented migrants were detained in Azerbaijan during the first half of the year. More than 1,000 were deported.

●  The ruling Georgian Dream party issued a sharp condemnation of the joint statement by 17 European foreign ministers and the EU High Representative. The statement had criticized the arrests of opposition politicians, the detentions and sentencing of protest participants, and the adoption of “new repressive laws that suppress freedom of speech and dismantle civil society and independent media.” Georgian Dream called the criticism “another blatant and unfair attack on the Georgian people and Georgian democracy.”

“The organized assault has only one reason – the Georgian people refused to let the deep state’s agents, the collective ‘National Movement’, return to power. This effort was openly supported by the EU ambassador to Georgia and certain European and former American officials. Europe is experiencing democratic backsliding and a severe values crisis. Most European states are acting under deep state influence. Uncontrolled migration, pseudo-liberal propaganda, and the decline of state and religious institutions are leading to the erosion of Europe’s identity. Today, it has become the norm in Europe to reject electoral victories of unwanted parties, cancel elections, persecute political opponents, and impose sweeping media restrictions. Against this backdrop, absurd resolutions from the European Parliament, disinformation from 18 EU officials, and their sanctions and attacks on the Georgian people are no surprise,” the statement reads.

The party concludes by expressing “readiness to cooperate with any country that seeks fair partnership with Georgia,” adding: “It is important to understand that just as Georgia needs Europe, the European Union also needs Georgia.”

●  American consultant and former OSCE and US embassy representative in Georgia, Megi Ozdoba Katz, was denied entry into the country. In a Facebook post, she wrote that no explanation was given. According to local media, Katz worked with startups, civil society organizations, and activists to promote positive social change. She had lived and worked in Georgia for more than 25 years. “My heart is broken,” she wrote.

●  Jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili called on the opposition and protest participants “not to repeat the mistakes of the Belarusian opposition and not to limit themselves to passive protests and half-measures.” “Ivanishvili is very predictable. It’s strange why so many are surprised by every new move of the regime. Just look at Belarus to understand what the next steps of the Russian-backed regime here will be,” Saakashvili wrote on social media.

●  The investigation continues into a violent attack on a minor in Marneuli, Kvemo Kartli region. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a 19-year-old local man stabbed a 16-year-old teenager about 50 times during a dispute before fleeing the scene. The victim is in intensive care; the attacker has been detained.

●  A memorial is being built at the Shovi mountain resort in memory of the victims of the 2023 landslide (pictured). The project is funded by the local budget and is expected to be completed in August. The Ministry of Infrastructure announced that two bridges destroyed during the natural disaster will also be restored over the summer. A total of 33 people were killed in the landslide, and many of the bodies were searched for over several weeks. The body of one teenager still remains missing. The once-popular resort was almost completely destroyed. Here’s the full story of the tragedy

●   Since the beginning of the year, Georgia’s trade turnover with EU countries has reached its highest level in a decade, growing by 7.6% compared to the same period last year. Imports account for 85% of the total trade. The top five imports from the EU are: passenger cars, oil and oil products, medicines, trucks, and mobile phones/telephone equipment.

●  The transitional president of Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, paid an unannounced visit to Baku — his first visit to Azerbaijan. The pro-government outlet Report stated that “talks were held with President Ilham Aliyev in both narrow and extended formats.”

●  “The project for exporting Azerbaijani gas to Syria via Turkey will soon be implemented, which will help solve Syria’s serious energy problems,” said Ahmad al-Sharaa during the visit. It was also announced that Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to the restoration of Syria’s energy sector.

●  Syrian and Israeli officials met in Baku during the Syrian president’s visit, according to Al Arabiya, citing a diplomatic source in Damascus. The source said the talks focused on Israel’s military presence in Syria. Al-Sharaa himself did not participate in the meeting.

●  “The meeting between the president of Azerbaijan and the prime minister of Armenia in Abu Dhabi created favorable ground for signing a peace agreement, opening regional communications, and reaching other agreements in the near future,” said Metin Mammadli, consultant at the state Center for Analysis of International Relations. He noted that the initiative to hold bilateral meetings came from the Azerbaijani side. “The involvement of third parties as mediators does not help the peace process. Mediators pursue their own interests and slow things down. Bilateral meetings contradict their interests. They want to maintain control over the region, but they must realize they’ve been sidelined. The negotiations will continue in a bilateral format. In this positive environment, opening the Zangezur corridor and signing a peace deal are entirely realistic in the near future. However, much depends on the position the Armenian authorities take,” the expert said.

●  Ukraine and Azerbaijan discussed gas supplies and signed an economic cooperation plan during a session of the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission in Baku. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. The talks focused on supplies of Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine and the possible use of Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities. The delegation also thanked Azerbaijan for humanitarian aid, including transformers and equipment to help rebuild Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “Kyiv places great importance on its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. It was one of the first countries to support Ukraine with energy equipment. We are committed to strengthening our relations,” said Halushchenko, according to Report.

The next session will be held in Kyiv.

●  Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency (MEDİA) issued a warning about the spread of fake posts on social media allegedly from the defense and foreign ministers. The warning was prompted by AI-generated content claiming, for instance, that a Belarusian plane was shot down in Russia. “We urge the public to trust only official sources of information and remain vigilant amid the ongoing deepfake campaign,” the agency said.

●  President Ilham Aliyev, in a phone call, congratulated the president of Turkey on the reported self-dissolution and disarmament of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). “This is an important step toward achieving a ‘terrorism-free Turkey’ and a turning point for peace and stability in the region,” Aliyev said. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a statement, saying that “the voluntary disarmament of PKK militants is a historic event in the Turkish people’s 47-year fight against terrorism.”

●  “The Russian authorities constantly use TV channels, newspapers, and now digital and information platforms to stage various kinds of provocations. That’s why Azerbaijan previously shut down nearly all Russian TV channels. Now, for the same reason, the state agency Sputnik has been closed. What business do they even have on our territory?” said Milli Majlis MP and political analyst Rasim Musabekov. Earlier, the Press Council of Azerbaijan stated that “Sputnik Azerbaijan operated in the country as a branch of Russia’s Federal Security Service.”

●  “Turkic states will create a joint ski training center — an important step for the development of winter tourism in the region and the global promotion of resorts in Turkic-speaking countries,” said Rustam Najafov, head of the Union of Ski Resorts of Turkic States, at the union’s first summit held at the Shahdag resort in Azerbaijan.

●  Passenger car production in Azerbaijan increased by 4.9% compared to 2024. In the first half of the year, 2,132 vehicles were manufactured.

●  Azerbaijan ranks second among the countries importing the most chocolate from Russia. According to data from the first quarter of the year, Kazakhstan is first, Uzbekistan third. Also in the top ten are Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, China, and Germany.

●  A new US military attaché has been appointed in Armenia — Colonel Matthew Crow. He has already introduced himself to Defense Minister Suren Papikyan. US Ambassador Kristina Kvien also attended the meeting. “The United States remains ready to support Armenia’s defense reforms,” the defense ministry said after the meeting.

●  Siranush Sahakyan, legal representative of Armenian prisoners of war at the European Court of Human Rights, again accused Azerbaijan of gross violations of the rights of businessman and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, currently under arrest in Azerbaijan. Along with other former leaders of the unrecognized republic, he is charged with serious crimes: genocide, terrorism, and organizing the forcible displacement of civilians. In Armenia, this trial is described as a “judicial farce.” “Azerbaijani investigators and courts are conducting a one-sided, prearranged investigation, violating the guarantees of a fair trial,” said Sahakyan. She stated that the defendant was denied full access to case materials, and falsified records were included in the file. The case was also referred to a military tribunal, although Vardanyan is a civilian with no ties to military institutions. “He is denied basic rights and isolated from international support. This approach violates both Azerbaijani law and international standards of justice. It undermines the essence of the judicial process, showing it to be politically motivated and lacking any legitimacy,” said Sahakyan, calling on international organizations to demand that Azerbaijan fulfill its international obligations.

●  “Peace cannot be sustainable while 150,000 Armenians, displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, live in uncertainty,” said former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian during a visit to Washington. Along with Swiss parliamentarians, he presented a Swiss peace initiative on Nagorno-Karabakh to American partners. “Silence in response to their forced displacement and the dismantling of their self-governance system undermines international law and sets a dangerous precedent globally. The right of return is not a political concession but an obligation enshrined in UN conventions and human rights documents,” Oskanian said. The delegation held meetings with Vice President J.D. Vance’s team, members of the House and Senate, congressional staff, politicians, and civil society representatives.

●  Azerbaijani expert Tatevik Hayrapetyan suggests that during his meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan in Abu Dhabi, Ilham Aliyev rejected the “American plan” for unblocking transport links in the South Caucasus. As reported earlier by the Carnegie Foundation, the US administration had proposed transferring control over those roads to be unblocked to a private American company. More details on the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting here.

●  “France is ready to continue supporting Armenia,” said Gérard Larcher, President of the French Senate, during a meeting with Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan, who was on a working visit to Paris. Simonyan thanked France for supporting Armenia’s territorial integrity and assisting in economic matters. Democratic reforms in Armenia and the regional situation were also discussed.

●  In recent days, the price of liquefied gas in Armenia has risen by 20–25%, due to renewed issues at the Georgian border. Georgia is currently blocking trucks carrying liquefied gas imported by Armenia from crossing the border with Russia. Importers claim that all documentation is in order: “Trucks have been weighed, documents are in place, but for some unknown reason, the trucks are being denied entry into Armenia.” Previously, trucks carrying Armenian brandy exports were also delayed at the border. Armenian experts say the reasons for Georgia’s actions as a transit country may be political. More on this here.

●   A sit-in protest is taking place in Yerevan’s Freedom Square in support of Karabakh Armenians. In 2023, 150,000 people were relocated to Armenia after losing all their property in Nagorno-Karabakh. Protesters demand the government address the social challenges faced by displaced persons. The demands also include: the release of prisoners held in Baku, guarantees for collective and safe return to Nagorno-Karabakh, and protection of Armenian cultural and historical heritage. Police did not allow marchers or tents, but after long negotiations, protesters were permitted to use sleeping bags. Organizers say the protest will continue until their demands are met.

●  “The government’s anti-church campaign is a serious threat to statehood and national unity. It harms both the country’s and the church’s reputation,” said Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II during the annual gathering of clergy. He urged priests not to be drawn into confrontation, not to respond to government insults, but to explain the motives of this struggle against the church to their congregations. “The church cannot remain indifferent to attempts to rewrite history, the fate of Artsakh Armenians, and the Armenian captives in Baku,” he said.

Tensions between the church and the government began after the 2020 Karabakh war, when the church leadership demanded the government’s resignation. In recent months, the situation has worsened. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicly criticized the church on social media and even called for the Catholicos’s removal. Meanwhile, law enforcement claimed to have prevented a coup attempt allegedly involving high-ranking clergy. The standoff continues.

●  The Golden Apricot film festival has opened in Yerevan for the 22nd time. It began with the screening of “A Simple Event” by Iranian director Jafar Panahi, a film already honored with a Palme d’Or at Cannes. As in previous years, organizers replaced the traditional red carpet with handmade carpets crafted by local artisans (pictured below). This year’s festival carpet was designed by French artists Jean-François Dinckjian and Héloïse Chaffay. The festival runs through July 20 and features about 100 films from various countries. The international competition jury is chaired by César and Cannes award-winning director Abderrahmane Sissako.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 7-11 July, 2025