Media monitoring in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, 4-8 December, 2023

● Azerbaijan will release 32 Armenian prisoners, while Armenia will release two Azerbaijani soldiers, according to a joint statement by the offices of the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan. Read more here

● Yerevan and Baku have reached an agreement “to achieve the long-awaited peace in the region” through direct negotiations between the Aliyev administration and Pashinyan’s apparatus, without mediation from third countries.

● Yerevan has agreed to a meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington. Initially scheduled for November 20, the negotiations were postponed by Baku, but recent reports indicate a new green light from Baku for the meeting.

● The US and EU applaud the release of 34 detainees by Armenia and Azerbaijan, considering it a crucial step towards strengthening mutual trust. They express support for the ongoing efforts to finalize the peace agreement and normalize relations.

● Armenian Armed Forces reservist Gagik Voskanyan was sentenced in Baku to 18 years in prison. However, his name later appeared on the list of Armenian prisoners set to be released and transferred to Armenia.

● Extraordinary presidential elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled for February 7, 2024, advancing the originally planned 2025 elections.

● Azerbaijani media reports that Baku has agreed to a meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington.

● The Administration of the President of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia issued a joint statement “to achieve long-awaited peace in the region”. Azerbaijan releases 32 Armenian servicemen, while Armenia reciprocates by releasing 2 Azerbaijani servicemen. As part of the agreement, Armenia withdraws its candidacy to host COP-29 in support of Azerbaijan’s candidacy, and Azerbaijan backs Armenia’s candidacy for membership in the COP Bureau. Read more here

● In Goradiz (Fizuli district), a tractor conducting agricultural work was hit by a mine, injuring driver Zamin Hasanli. Another mine explosion in Shusha injured electrician Rakhim Gabibov, who was hospitalized with one leg amputated below the knee.

● In the Gusar region (northern part of Azerbaijan), 27 people, including 24 schoolchildren, contracted measles.

● Baku has implemented a ban on advertising on building facades.

● Baku is hosting an exhibition of sports cars that emerged as winners in world auto racing under the auspices of the International Automobile Federation (pictured).

● USAID-funded projects have been banned in Abkhazia, along with the implementation of any projects aimed at establishing contacts between citizens of Abkhazia and Georgia. Read more here

● Former leader of the National Movement, Nika Melia, has announced his departure from the party founded by Mikheil Saakashvili, stating his intention to establish a new party. Numerous members have recently left the National Movement, attributing their departure to the party’s leadership policies and intrigues.

● National Movement MP Ani Tsitlidze sees the party’s current developments as a natural process, stating, “Many new members joined the party, including those who left and later decided to return.”

● The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office has charged the director of the Viva Vake construction company with defrauding numerous investors and embezzling a substantial sum. He is on the wanted list and has been arrested in absentia as a preventive measure.

● Koba Dzagnidze, a member of the opposition “European Georgia,” was arrested in Vani on charges of violence against a minor.

● TAV Georgia, the management company, is allocating $7 million for the development of infrastructure at Tbilisi airport and $2 million for the Batumi airport. The projects are scheduled to commence next year.

● In Batumi, a court granted bail of 10,000 lari [$4,000] to a police department inspector arrested on charges of physically assaulting his wife. The prosecutor’s office intends to appeal the decision.

● Two-time European champion and 32-year-old wrestler Zurab Datunashvili has announced the end of his career as an active athlete due to health problems and an emergency operation undergone in the summer, preventing him from regaining his shape.

● This morning at 8:16 local time, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck the Absheron coast of the Caspian Sea. Strong tremors were felt by residents of Baku and its suburbs, with no reported information on damage or casualties.

● Early this morning, an additional 24 families (77 people) of internally displaced persons relocated to their permanent residence in the city of Fizuli. The total number of city residents now stands at 1,183 people (332 families).

● “There must be unhindered access from Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan. The Armenian side must promptly construct a 42-kilometer railway, either at its own expense or with funding from European sources. While recognizing it as their sovereign territory without reservations, we insist on free access to Nakhichevan from Azerbaijan, without customs duties, checks, or border guard procedures,” – President Ilham Aliyev emphasized.

● President Aliyev stated that Baku expects Yerevan to confirm Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity through signatures rather than declarations. He clarified that Azerbaijan has no intention of occupying Armenian territory.

● President Aliyev highlighted a historic opportunity for peace with Armenia, urging the United States to consider new realities in contributing to the peace process. This statement was made during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien.

● President Aliyev clarified Azerbaijan’s pragmatic approach, stating that the country does not seek membership in the European Union, as acceptance is deemed unlikely.

● Azerbaijani Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva responded to the expulsion of an Azertaj employee from New Caledonia, condemning France’s colonial policy and considering it “an obstacle to broadcasting the voice of the people of New Caledonia fighting for independence.”

● In the Khachmaz region of northern Azerbaijan, 20 people contracted measles, with five in serious condition sent to hospitals in Baku, including adults.

● Chairman of the State Committee on Family Issues of Women and Children Bahar Muradova reported a threefold increase in complaints regarding domestic violence in Azerbaijan over the past four years, with 550 complaints received since the beginning of the current year, compared to 178 in 2020.

● Yerevan and Tehran have reached an agreement to sign a memorandum, allowing Yerevan access to Iranian ports under favorable conditions.

● ‘There is a shared understanding with Baku that the border can only be delineated using authentic topographic maps; the delimitation process will be grounded in documents of legal significance,” – the deputy prime minister of Armenia, Gagik Grigoryan, stated.

● “Russia extended invitations to Yerevan and Baku for meetings in Moscow and at multilateral events in third countries. While Baku has consistently confirmed its readiness, Armenia’s response has been less certain,” according to Russian foreign ministry representative Maria Zakharova. She suggested that “maybe the advisors of the Armenian authorities from Washington, Brussels, or Paris can provide something more interesting and effective, but Yerevan should reflect on past experiences. The outcomes of the ‘get-togethers’ in Prague and Brussels have already been witnessed by all.”

● Secretary of the Armenian Security Council, Armen Grigoryan, held discussions with Yuri Kim, chief assistant to the US Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, and Laura Cooper, deputy assistant to the head of the US Department of Defense.

● Armenia and Tunisia signed a memorandum for political consultations within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an agreement abolishing the visa requirement for individuals with diplomatic passports.

● The heads of inspection authorities from Armenia and Russia addressed statements from Rosselkhoznadzor regarding violations in Armenian agricultural exports to Russia. Russia asserts that it enforces uniform controls irrespective of the country of origin for supplies. Armenia expressed readiness to enhance transparency in compliance with Russian regulations.

● Azerbaijani military figure, Hussein Akhundov, initially sentenced to 20 years for the murder of a security guard at the Zangezur copper-molybdenum plant in Armenia, has now received a life sentence. Baku denies the accusations, claiming Akhundov unintentionally crossed the Armenian border. Read more here

● The President of Azerbaijan emphasized a preference for peace over conflict, seeking “guarantees from Yerevan that there would be no retaliatory actions.”

● Over the past few weeks, Russian border guards have been impeding Armenian trucks at the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Georgian-Russian border, subjecting them to extended delays or outright denying their entry. Read more here

● Traffic on the Gudauri-Kobi section of the highway leading from Upper Lars has been halted again due to a high risk of avalanches.

● Russia is considering including Georgia in the list of “friendly” tourist countries. A bill submitted to the State Duma proposes financial benefits for tour operators specializing in destinations in several CIS countries, including Georgia.

● “President Salome Zurabishvili is perceived in society as a middle link [between the government and the opposition], and this disposition must definitely be preserved,” stated Irakli Kupradze, a member of the opposition Lelo party.

● Saakashvili’s United National Movement party, once a leading opposition force in Georgia, continues to disintegrate. Ten out of eleven representatives in the city council of Khobi, Western Georgia, left, following dozens who departed from the Batumi branch. Members across the country blame new leader Levan Khabeishvili, demanding his resignation and the convening of a party congress.

● According to the 2022 report of the international school literacy ranking PISA, the academic skills of Georgian students have declined compared to 2018. Georgia ranks 67th in student reading comprehension, 60th in math, and 66th in science, well below average. Singapore leads the global rankings, followed by Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. Read more here

● Sophio Gorgodze, the head of the National Assessment and Examinations Center, has resigned. In her social media account, she emphasizes that her departure is due to personal reasons and has nothing to do with the work of the center and the negative PISA report.

● A court sentenced a resident of Gurjaani, Kakheti region, Eastern Georgia, to life imprisonment for raping his minor son.

● Three Georgian citizens were arrested in Poland on charges of kidnapping a 19-year-old woman.

● The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry expressed “surprise at the EU High Representative’s statements supporting separatist tendencies.” Aykhan Hajizadeh, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, noted that “if the Armenian side indicated that the number of Armenians who left Karabakh was 100 thousand, then Borrell’s mention of 150 thousand gives rise to a serious misunderstanding. Such false statements are seen as undermining EU mediation efforts,” stated Hajizadeh.

● US Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien is expected to arrive in Baku today. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and support the negotiation process between Baku and Yerevan.

● Plans are underway to build approximately 24 villages, 5 towns, and 3 cities in Zangilan, Jabrail, and Gubadli by 2024. Foundation laying for 10 villages, 1 settlement, and three urban centers has already taken place, announced Special Representative of the President Vahid Hajiyev.

● 6 million manats [about $3.5 million] have been allocated for the reconstruction of the Shusha-Lachin road, spanning 41 km.

● An Azerbaijani sapper was injured in a mine explosion in the Agdam region. Since the end of 2020, the number of mine victims has reached 338 people.

● Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov participated in a meeting of the Caspian countries’ foreign ministers in Moscow. The intention to conclude an agreement on confidence-building measures in the sphere of military activities in the Caspian Sea was announced.

● An employee of the Azerbaijani state news agency ‘Azertaj’ was expelled from France. The Azerbaijan Press Council stated that this occurred in New Caledonia, “where Aygun Hasanova was covering the people’s struggle to rid themselves of oppression and restore their freedom.”

● The number of measles cases continues to rise, with about 300 registered infections, of which only 12% occur in adults and elderly individuals.

● “The European Union plans to send a humanitarian technical mission to assist the Armenian Armed Forces,” announced Vasilis Maragos, head of the EU delegation to Armenia.

● Washington imposes export restrictions on 28 entities from Russia and organizations from Armenia, Belarus, China, and other countries.

● In a tragic accident in central Yerevan, a pregnant woman died, and her mother and 2-year-old child were injured. The pedestrians crossed the road at the wrong place, and the SUV driver involved assisted in providing aid.

● The Ministry of Health reports that 27.7% of children aged 7 to 9 in Armenia are overweight, and 12.6% are obese.

● Armenia is participating in the international exhibition of defense technologies and security systems, EDEX 2023, in Cairo.

● Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan will not attend the CSTO meeting on December 19 in Moscow.

● Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani states, ‘The transport corridor from India through Iran and Armenia will become a reliable route to the north and to Europe.”

● The Ministry of Defense has reported that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire towards Armenian positions in the Bardzruni area (Vayots Dzor region), resulting in the fatal gunshot wound of serviceman Gerasim Arakelyan.

● The Armenian Foreign Ministry has stated, “By resorting to provocations on the border and consistently rejecting proposals from international actors to continue negotiations, the Azerbaijani side is attempting to delay the peace process and lead it to a dead end,” in response to the death of a serviceman.

● Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, commented on the situation, saying, “It is extremely important that calm prevails locally and progress is made at the negotiating table,” regarding the news of the Armenian military man’s death on the Azerbaijan border.

● “Armenia does not intend to file a lawsuit against the Russian Federation for non-receipt of paid-for weapons,” stated Hrachya Sargsyan, Deputy Head of the Armenian Ministry of Defense.

● The profile commission of the Armenian parliament did not endorse the initiative to criminalize statements recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani. Members of Parliament representing the ruling party opposed this initiative, contending that it would disrupt the peace agenda with Azerbaijan.

● The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense is preparing a draft “list of countries that threaten the country’s security,” which includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, along with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Ukraine and the Baltic countries are not included in the list.

● Baku has not yet responded to Yerevan’s latest package of proposals regarding a peace treaty, according to the statement from the Foreign Ministry.

● The Investigative Committee has revealed that a criminal group sold drugs worth at least 60 million drams ($150 thousand) through Telegram. Four accomplices have been detained for sales through profiles such as Ismoke, Ismoke420, and Marc Emery Market on the social network. They transferred the money to various electronic wallets in Armenia and other countries, including in the name of one of their mothers.

● Human rights activist Ilgamiz Kuliyev has been detained in Baku. His friends claim on social networks that Kuliyev was apprehended due to his interview with Abzas-Media, where he discussed “the illegal methods of law enforcement officers in the fight against dissidents.” There has been no official comment on Ilgamiz Kuliyev’s detention. Three key staff members and a reporter from Abzas Media have been arrested.

● Today in Moscow, the foreign ministers of the Caspian “five” – Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan – will convene for a meeting chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

● The Ministry of Defense refuted information from the Armenian side regarding the involvement of the Azerbaijani army in the death of an Armenian Armed Forces serviceman on the border of the two countries.

● The Foreign Ministry stated, “With such destructive statements, Armenia damages the prospects of the normalization process. Yerevan spreads disinformation, seeks to artificially create tension, and attract the attention of third countries.”

● Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva asserted, “Armenia must pay compensation to Azerbaijan for mine terrorism,” citing 65 deaths and 272 injuries from mine explosions after the second Karabakh war. Since 1991, a total of 3,416 people, including 357 children, have been injured by mine explosions in Azerbaijan.

● An allocation of 17 million manats [$10 million] has been approved for the reconstruction of the Sugovushan-Sarsang Reservoir-Gozlukerpu-Kelbajar road, spanning 80 km.

● The Professional Football League of Azerbaijan will host a 1/8 finals match of the Country Cup between Agdam’s “Garabagh” and Baku MOIK on December 21 at the Khankendi stadium.

● Parliament is set to swiftly review a legislative package from the ruling Georgian Dream, limiting political parties’ ability to receive donations from legal entities. Also, the maximum allowable annual party expenditure is reduced from 0.05% to 0.04% of the previous year’s GDP.

● “European Georgia” chairman Giga Bokeria criticizes the package, asserting it contradicts Georgia’s interests and increases its dependence on Russia.

●  Abkhazia is gearing up for the revival of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), involving Abkhaz, Georgian, Russian, EU, and UN representatives. This mechanism was operational until 2018. Konstantin Pilia, the head of Abkhazia’s Gali region, where these meetings occurred, stated that the Abkhaz side “has made progress on this matter and is preparing a venue for the meetings.” As of now, the Georgian side has not provided any comments on this development.

● The Batumi branch of the leading opposition party “National Movement,” founded by Mikheil Saakashvili, sees dozens leaving, attributing it to the policies of the new leader Levan Khabeishvili. Read more here

● Georgia’s Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, will participate in a high-level international human rights conference in Kyiv.

● A policeman involved in beating a 12-year-old in Vandam village, Gabala district, has been dismissed. The Ministry of Internal Affairs provided this account, stating that the incident occurred when the police stopped an intoxicated driver, and physical force was used against the teenager’s father. The minor threw a stone in response, leading to the use of excessive force. Criminal cases have been initiated against two individuals.

● Kanal 13 internet television presenter Rufat Muradli, detained, has been sentenced to 30 days of administrative arrest for disobeying the legal demands of a government official.

● Investments in environmental projects in Karabakh were discussed at the G77 and China summit in Dubai. Azerbaijan’s Presidential Assistant Hikmet Hajiyev and Economy Minister Mikail Jabbarov participated, highlighting projects related to global climate change and the promotion of green energy.

● Tragically, a fourth child has died of measles in the suburbs of Baku.

● The book “Dolma in Azerbaijani Cuisine: 381 Recipes” claimed the top spot at the International Gourmand Awards in Riyadh, earning the title of the best book in the last 25 years.

● The 15th season of Azerbaijan Fashion Week has commenced in Baku, featuring designers from Azerbaijan, Russia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan presenting their collections on the runway.

● According to a report from the French Senate on defense spending for 2024, 24 out of 50 purchased French Bastion armored vehicles have been delivered to Armenia, with 26 more in production. Armenia has also ordered 3 GM200 radars, and negotiations are ongoing for the supply of MISTRAL 3 anti-aircraft missile systems. The French Senate recommends expeditiously studying the potential supply of Caesar artillery systems to Armenia.

● The Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan stated, “The narratives about the creation of the Zangezur Corridor cannot be implemented, and everyone has recognized this.”

● Georgian license plates in Armenia will incur a 30% customs duty until December 31, as decided by the government.

● The son of the former CSTO Secretary General, Major General Grigory Khachaturov, was released from pre-trial detention after paying a $50 thousand bail in dram equivalent. He faces charges of money laundering on a large scale using his official position.

● Armenia’s first satellite, Hayasat-1, launched on December 1, is operational with established communication, according to the Center for Scientific Innovation’s press service.

● Armenian wrestlers secured three medals in the Youth World Boxing Championships in Yerevan. Vagharshak Keyan (48 kg) won gold, while Aren Kharatyan (52 kg) and Samvel Siramargyan (70 kg) claimed silver.

● The “Wings of Tatev” cable car was once again honored as the world’s best, receiving the World Travel Awards-2023.

● The 24th Tbilisi International Film Festival concluded with awards:

• Best feature-length film: “The Draw,” directed by Zaza Khalvashi.
• Best short fiction film: “Supra,” directed by Mariam Bitsadze.
• Best feature-length documentary: “Requiem for Hot Days of Summer,” directed by Giorgi Parkosadze.
• Best Short Documentary: “Igi,” directed by Aki Manuki.
• European Union Human Rights in Film Award: Iranian director Abbas Amini for “Endless Borders” and director Luka Beradze for the documentary “Smiling Georgia.”
• DOCA Award by the Georgian Documentary Film Association: Danish director Leah Glob for “Apollonia, Apollonia.”

● In Tbilisi, there was an attempted attack on a police officer; the attacker was detained, and both are hospitalized. The corresponding criminal code article carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years.

● Nearly 3.5 thousand illegal prescriptions for potent psychotropic drugs were issued this year by three medical companies – “Health for All” and two branches of the “Outpatient Clinic.” The Ministry of Health termed this an unprecedented violation, leading to an investigation.

● The strike continues at the Darketi mine in Chiatura, with a total of 13 mines stopped. Workers demand higher wages and improved working conditions. Negotiations with the owner company, Georgian Manganese, ended without result; the next round is scheduled for December 5th.

● The Georgian editorial office of Radio Liberty explored the spontaneous process of political street art in Tbilisi. Buildings are regularly adorned with anti-Russian, pro-Ukrainian, and pro-Israeli content, forming a social network of commentary and expression.

Media monitoring in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, 27 November-1 December, 2023