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

● The third meeting of the “3+3” regional cooperation platform is expected to take place in Yerevan or Baku, with discussions ongoing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan told Public Television. The “3+3” format brings together Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia on one side, and Turkey, Iran and Russia on the other, though in practice it has functioned as “2+3” since Georgia refuses to participate while Russia occupies its territories.

● The Mother See of Etchmiadzin strongly condemned the actions of the authorities led by the prime minister, who intervened by force to conduct liturgies in churches across several dioceses. The Church said this “grossly violates ecclesiastical order and the constitution, offends believers’ spiritual feelings and sows division.” A day earlier, Nikol Pashinyan and other leaders attended a service in the “Seven Wounds” church in Gyumri, held by bishops who had publicly supported Pashinyan’s campaign to remove Catholicos Garegin II. The local clergy warned that if anyone other than diocesan priests performed the liturgy, it would mean “the cathedral has been seized.”

● Pashinyan outlined steps for “restoring the Armenian Apostolic Church” after the removal of Catholicos Ktrich Nersisyan (Garegin II). He said there should be elections for a church locum tenens, adoption of a new church rulebook, and then open elections for the Catholicos of All Armenians.

● Georgia made a “friendly gesture” to support the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process and will allow a one-time free transit of Azerbaijani oil products to Armenia, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said. No fee will be charged this time, though future transit fees will apply.

● Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met in Tbilisi with Armenian Labour and Social Affairs Minister Arsen Torosyan to discuss prospects for strategic partnership.

● Joint efforts with the United States to combat smuggling were discussed in Yerevan at a meeting between State Revenue Committee chairman Eduard Hakobyan and U.S. State Department EXBS regional advisor Kern Chesney. Also present was Zachary Barter, director of the U.S. Embassy’s narcotics and law-enforcement cooperation office. The sides stressed the importance of U.S. support for improving border-control infrastructure and staff training.

● A report by Dozhd TV said the 23-year-old Chechen woman Aishat Baymuradova, killed in Yerevan in October, was a relative of Ramzan Kadyrov. According to Svetlana Anokhina of the “Marem” human-rights group, Baymuradova’s grandmother was a cousin of Akhmat Kadyrov, the father of Chechnya’s leader.

● Armenia has launched electronic newborn registration on the website hartak.am, Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan announced. Parents can register a birth using a QR code and must log in with an ID card, submit an application, and provide an email address for follow-up communication.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received world and two-time European weightlifting champion Nazik Avdalyan, praising her contribution to representing Armenia internationally and promoting sport in the country. He stressed that sports development remains a government priority.

● In Bratislava, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini in an expanded-format meeting. Pellegrini told reporters that this was the first official visit by an Azerbaijani president to Slovakia and highlighted the strong potential for developing bilateral ties. He recalled that the two countries signed a Strategic Partnership Declaration last year, have recently opened embassies, and set up an intergovernmental commission. The Slovak president congratulated Aliyev on the initialling of a peace agreement brokered by Donald Trump.

Aliyev said the active phase of Azerbaijani-Slovak relations began when Pellegrini visited Baku as prime minister. He expressed appreciation for what he described as Slovakia’s active role in reconstruction efforts in Karabakh, which Azerbaijan says was liberated from Armenian occupation. He also noted Slovakia’s support for the development of Azerbaijan’s relations with the European Union. Aliyev invited Pellegrini to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan, an invitation that was accepted, according to the press release.

● Pellegrini identified energy supply as a key area of cooperation. “The European Union has decided on a complete ban on Russian gas imports to Slovakia. The timeline is very short. Azerbaijan can play a role in diversifying energy supplies. Slovakia is currently at the end of the pipeline, whereas previously, toward Western Europe, it was always at the beginning. You can imagine how costly this is,” he said.

Aliyev responded that Azerbaijan began gas deliveries to Slovakia last year. He said 14 countries now receive Azerbaijani gas, eight of them EU member states. He added that Azerbaijan ranks first globally among countries exporting gas via pipelines. “As new gas fields are developed, additional resources will become available, and of course it will be possible to supply larger volumes of Azerbaijani gas to Slovakia and to neighbouring states,” Aliyev said.

● Both presidents identified defence industry cooperation as an important area. Azerbaijan has expressed interest in purchasing Slovak automatic artillery systems. The two presidents also confirmed their intention to establish joint production of various weapons systems and sell them to third countries.

● Aliyev said Azerbaijan is investing further in the development of transit infrastructure and stressed that this area “should not be overlooked” in the context of Azerbaijani-Slovak relations, given its significant potential.

● Chris McKinney, Deputy Director for Partnership, Security Cooperation and Counter-WMD at U.S. European Command, visited Baku and held meetings with the defence and emergency ministries. “This visit will strengthen long-term defence cooperation between the United States and Azerbaijan and underscores shared interests in the security and stability of Azerbaijan and the region as a whole,” the U.S. Embassy said.

● The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan State Maritime Academy discussed cooperation in maritime transport and engineering. Talks also covered expanding the American Spaces network and English-language education programmes in partnership with U.S. universities.

● Georgia announced it will provide a one-time free transit of oil from Azerbaijan across its territory to Armenia. The Economy Ministry said Georgia “remains a strategic and reliable partner of both countries and consistently supports a policy of peace and regional cooperation.” Pro-government Azerbaijani media had earlier accused the Georgian authorities of inflating the transit tariff by a factor of 40. Read more here

● Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is holding high-level meetings during his visit to Baku, with a focus on developing transport and transit corridors between Iran and Azerbaijan and advancing joint projects. At a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Araghchi said he discussed “all key issues” during his meeting with President Aliyev. He called the visit strategically important and said Iran is “looking forward” to welcoming Aliyev.
Bayramov said Azerbaijan is interested in strengthening friendly relations with Iran and described this year as an important one for bilateral ties.

● An appeals court rejected the complaint filed by Mamed Ibrahimli, an adviser to the chairman of the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party, who remains in custody pending investigation. Ibrahimli and party leader Ali Kerimli are accused of attempting to seize power by force — charges they deny, calling the case politically motivated. Both were detained as part of the same criminal case as Ramiz Mehdiyev, a once-influential political figure and longtime head of the presidential administration, who is also under arrest.

● At a meeting of the Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan intergovernmental commission on economic and humanitarian cooperation in Baku, the two sides agreed on measures to create a new portfolio of joint projects in energy, industry, infrastructure, and small and medium-sized business.

● Court proceedings continued in the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of the former self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and a citizen of Armenia, who is in pre-trial detention. He is accused of torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and other offences. The state news agency Azertac reported that the court heard testimony from people injured in, and witnesses to, deadly incidents during military operations carried out by Armenian forces when Vardanyan held office. Vardanyan requested access to several case-related documents; the request was granted. The next hearing is scheduled for 9 December.

● New restrictions are being proposed against participants of the pro-European protests that have been ongoing continuously for more than a year. Georgian Dream MP Irakli Kirtskhalia stated at a briefing that the Interior Ministry will inform protest participants of the permitted location or route for their rally. If participants do not comply, they will face administrative arrest for up to 15 days, and in the case of repeated violations — criminal charges, including up to one year of imprisonment.

● UK Minister of State Stephen Doughty: “I am deeply concerned by the BBC report alleging that Georgian police used toxic chemicals against protesters in Tbilisi in late 2024. We expect Georgia to uphold its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention and ensure proper investigation of any alleged violations related to the use of toxic chemicals.” More details here.

● “The State Security Service, within the framework of its investigation, has responded to all questions, completely disproving the BBC’s fabrications. There is no room left for speculation in the case of the alleged use of ‘kamit’ in Georgia,” said Georgian Dream Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze. More details here about the arguments of Georgia’s State Security Service.

● Chairman of the Georgian Dream parliamentary faction Shalva Papuashvili called the BBC investigation on the possible use of the toxic agent “kamit” against protesters an attempt at “psychological brainwashing.”
“Some European political groups are influencing vulnerable members of Georgian society so much that these citizens end up believing anything. Let me remind you: when the war in Ukraine began, drawings of a cat appeared on walls and in underpasses in Tbilisi. Many started believing absurd rumors that it was a sign Russia would bomb Georgia. Now they are trying to convince these vulnerable people that chemical weapons from the First World War are allegedly being used. They also widely claimed in the West that (jailed ex-president) Mikheil Saakashvili had developed dementia. And then he suddenly ‘recovered’ from dementia — supposedly the first such case in the world. Brussels is brainwashing our people,” Papuashvili said.

● Georgian Railways will provide free one-time transit of oil from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Armenia. The Ministry of Economy stated that “Georgia remains a strategic and reliable partner of both countries and consistently supports a policy of peace and cooperation in the region.” Earlier, pro-government Azerbaijani media accused the Georgian authorities of inflating the transit tariff for this shipment by 40 times. More details here.

● In 2026, the Prime Minister of Georgia will receive a salary 43 times higher than the pension of an average citizen. These figures appear in the final draft of next year’s state budget, according to Transparency International Georgia. Also starting in 2026, six agencies employing 456 people in 2025 will be dissolved: the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Special Investigation Service, National Security Council Office, Public Service Bureau, Business Ombudsman’s Office, and the Administration of South Ossetia. More details here.

● The Tbilisi City Court is holding a preliminary hearing in the case of arrested former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and his detained deputies Giorgi Khaindrava and Vasil Mkheidze. They remain in custody for the duration of the investigation. Burchuladze was arrested on September 11 on charges of abuse of power and money laundering. He faces up to 12 years in prison.

● The Ministry of Education has denied reports that prospective university applicants will no longer be able to choose more than one university or department. “There will be no restrictions for applicants,” the ministry said.

● A key figure in the BBC investigation, former head of the armaments division of the Georgian Interior Ministry’s Special Operations Department Lasha Shergelashvili (pictured), gave comments confirming parts of the BBC’s report on the possible use of the toxic substance “kamit” against protesters in Tbilisi. In an interview with Formula TV, he said that “this substance was tested by the Interior Ministry in 2009 or before 2009, turned out to be too poisonous, and was sealed away.” “I know for a fact that it was used against protesters at the CEC building in Tbilisi on November 8, 2020, after the parliamentary elections,” Shergelashvili said. More on the BBC investigation here.

● Fifth President Salome Zurabishvili said she is “puzzled” by the statements from Georgian Dream regarding the use of toxic substances against protesters, including the findings of the security service’s investigation. “One person says one thing, another says something else. Meanwhile, public reaction is growing, international reaction is growing, and I would say the ruling party is becoming increasingly confused. An investigation with the participation of foreign organizations is necessary so that we can know exactly which chemical was used,” Zurabishvili stated.

Earlier, the State Security Service (SSG) reported that it had completed its investigation of the claims made in the BBC report and categorically rejected the allegation that “kamit” had been used. At a briefing on December 6, the SSG stated that “a chemical substance was indeed added to the water cannons, but it was not ‘kamit,’ it was ‘chlorobenzylmalononitrile,’ which is not prohibited.” More here.

● GYLA chair Nona Kurdovanidze said the SSG provided incomplete information about the number of people poisoned during the dispersal of the protests. The SSG stated that 54 people were admitted to hospitals on November 28 and in the following days, and only five were diagnosed with mild poisoning. Kurdovanidze said that these numbers do not include those who sought medical help on their own, and the total number remains unknown.

● Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, responding to the scandal involving the BBC publication, said: “The State Security Service will not allow foreign intelligence agencies or their local operatives to undermine the country’s statehood. During the investigation following the BBC film, anyone found to have deliberately acted against Georgia’s national interests will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

● Amnesty International called on the international community to respond quickly to the BBC investigation about the possible use of World War I–era chemical weapons against protesters in Georgia. The organization criticized the intimidation of journalists, human rights defenders, witnesses, and experts who spoke to the BBC. Amnesty calls for an independent international investigation and a full embargo on police equipment supplies to Georgia while the country is governed by Georgian Dream. More details here.

● President appointed by “Georgian Dream,” Mikheil Kavelashvili, claimed the BBC publication appeared because “Georgia’s leaders refused to carry out the orders of the deep state.”

● The Azerbaijani pro-government outlet Minval Politika issued harsh criticism of the Georgian authorities. The author writes about “worrying changes” in Tbilisi–Baku relations and points to two negative developments& Baku is ready to supply oil products to Yerevan, and the only route is through Georgia. But Tbilisi increased the transit price by 40 times, the outlet claims. It also states that Azerbaijani truck drivers are regularly and unjustifiably detained at the Georgian border for weeks or even months. According to Minval Politika, “all these actions raise questions about the future of regional cooperation involving Georgia.” More here.

● Merab Dvalishvili has been stripped of his UFC featherweight title after losing to Russian fighter Petr Yan. The Georgian fighter has 21 victories, including 15 consecutive wins. On October 5, Dvalishvili defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision, successfully defending his title for the third time. He first won the championship belt on September 14, 2024, by defeating then-champion Sean O’Malley. Prior to that, he had beaten three former UFC champions — José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo.

● In a village in the Telavi municipality, three underage girls violently assaulted one of their peers. The Interior Ministry stated that the 12–13-year-old schoolgirls demanded an apology from another student over a previous conflict, and when she refused, they used physical force. An investigation has been launched.

● Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Baku. Earlier, Iranian MFA representative Esmail Baghaei said at a press conference in Tehran that Iran places great importance on developing relations with Azerbaijan and is interested in ensuring stable peace and security in the South Caucasus. He also announced that the Iranian foreign minister will soon visit Russia and Belarus.

● Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said that international support is needed to secure the economic benefits of the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including the joint construction of transit routes and regional cooperation. He spoke about this during a panel at the Doha Forum, where Hajiyev participated together with Armenia’s Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan.

“Talking about peace is much easier than talking about conflict. In the past, Armenia and Azerbaijan constantly argued with each other, spoke about conflict and disagreements. Now we are talking about peace. While acknowledging the decisive role of the United States in this process, I want to emphasize the importance of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both countries have realized that above all, we need peace. We must create this peace, reach an agreement, and then present it to our international partners. We are now continuing the peacebuilding process on a bilateral basis, including cooperation at the level of civil society institutions. This approach has proven to be effective and productive,” said Hikmet Hajiyev.

● Speaking at the Doha Forum, Hikmet Hajiyev spoke about his conversation with popular American talk-show host Tucker Carlson. “I told him that his latest segment on Armenian-Azerbaijani relations was not positive enough to contribute to peace. He agreed with me. I suggested that next time he invite representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan together so we can genuinely discuss the real peace agenda. International media and the international community should support us. We are moving toward the future and want to protect our future generations from the wounds of war,” Hajiyev said.

● The detained chairman of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Ali Kerimli, has fully rejected the charges against him, calling them political repression, and has refused to testify, the party reported. Official sources have not commented. Kerimli was arrested on December 2 on charges of attempting to seize power and forcibly change the constitutional order. Searches were carried out in his home, as well as in the apartment of his son-in-law Elnur Seidov and several of his supporters. Read more here

● President Ilham Aliyev thanked Kyrgyzstan for being one of the first countries to support Azerbaijan’s accession to the cooperation format with Central Asian states. Aliyev said this at a meeting in Baku with a delegation led by Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Bakyt Torobaev. According to Aliyev, this decision will play a major role in developing ties between Central Asia and the South Caucasus, including ensuring stable and uninterrupted cargo transit in both directions.

● The Azerbaijan–Kyrgyz joint investment fund, established by the two heads of state, has already begun financing its first projects, Aliyev said. He emphasized that Azerbaijan has allocated financial resources to form the fund’s capital and will provide additional funds if the number of projects increases.

● Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev met in Baku with Jassim Muhammad Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. They discussed opportunities to further expand cooperation.

● The importance of Azerbaijan–UAE cooperation was highlighted by President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting with leaders of the influential Arab companies 2PointZero and International Resources Holding. The UAE is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan in the field of renewable energy, Aliyev said.

● Baku hosted a two-day “D-8 Youth Dialogue” conference over the weekend. Participants adopted the Baku Declaration, committing to increasing youth involvement in decision-making, strengthening green skills, and expanding regional cooperation.
The forum is based on the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. In 2024, Azerbaijan joined the forum, expanding it to nine member states (D-9). Founded in 1997, the organization seeks to improve member states’ positions in the global economy, expand commercial ties, deepen participation in international governance, and raise living standards.

Photo Teymur Mammadov

●  It has been 37 years since the devastating Spitak earthquake. It occurred on December 7, 1988, at 11:41 a.m. in the northern regions of Armenia. More than 25,000 people died, tens of thousands were injured, and hundreds of thousands were left homeless.

● On the anniversary of the tragedy, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan, and ruling party MPs traveled to Gyumri, one of the earthquake’s epicenters. They laid flowers at the memorial and took part in commemorative events. Afterward, the state leaders went to the Seven Wounds Church to participate in a liturgy — which triggered a new escalation between the authorities and the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The liturgy was performed by bishops who had previously supported Pashinyan and opposed Catholicos Garegin II.

A day earlier, clergy of the local Shirak Diocese issued a warning signed by 29 priests: if anyone other than diocesan clergy performed the liturgy, “it would mean that the cathedral had been seized.” As Pashinyan approached the church, dozens of residents lined the street, chanting “Armenia without Nikol” and protesting his actions toward church leadership. More on this conflict here

● Edmon Marukyan, leader of the opposition Bright Armenia party, condemned Pashinyan’s visit and the liturgy controversy.
“On the 37th anniversary of the earthquake, he disrupted the mourning of Gyumri residents, sowed political intrigue, and occupied the Church of the Seven Wounds by holding his own liturgy there. What is happening in Gyumri is preparation for what will happen in the future,” Marukyan said.

● Prime Minister Pashinyan stated: “It would be appropriate if, before Sunday liturgies, choirs in all churches performed the Armenian national anthem.” He added that in 301 A.D., the Armenian Apostolic Church was established by a state decision, and therefore such a practice “would be correct.”

● Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council, called the agreements reached at the August 2025 Armenia–Azerbaijan summit in Washington, mediated by Donald Trump, “a very significant historical achievement that brought peace to the region and transformed the entire atmosphere.” He said this during a panel discussion at the 23rd International Forum in Doha, held jointly with Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev. “Today, we are not discussing conflict – we are discussing how to strengthen peace,” Grigoryan said.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 1-5 December, 2025