LIVE: Key morning headlines from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

● The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) adopted a special resolution on Georgia, saying that while Russia’s influence in the region is declining, the ruling Georgian Dream party has turned Georgia into “the Kremlin’s last stronghold in Eastern Europe.” ALDE called on the EU to impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for democratic backsliding and human rights violations, as well as on “the networks supporting Ivanishvili’s regime.” At the same time, the resolution stressed the importance of preserving visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. During the congress, an empty chair draped with the Georgian flag symbolized support for Elene Khoshtaria, the imprisoned leader of the opposition Droa party, which is a member of ALDE. Delegates also listened to her recorded address.

● The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is preparing to adopt a critical resolution on Georgia. The draft calls on the Georgian authorities to release political prisoners, repeal restrictive legislation, investigate alleged election violations, and restore the independence of the judiciary and election administration. Nikoloz Samkharadze, head of the Georgian delegation to the assembly’s session in The Hague, criticized an earlier OSCE report and the activation of the “Moscow Mechanism” on Georgia, saying it contained factual inaccuracies.

● At the same session, Samkharadze also condemned the “agreement” signed by Russia with Georgia’s Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), which provides for “deeper allied cooperation” between the sides.

● A march under the slogan “Together for the Freedom of Women Prisoners of Conscience” took place in Tbilisi. Participants walked from the Philharmonic Hall to parliament carrying flags and banners before joining the ongoing anti-government protest. Speakers said the imprisonment of female politicians and journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli was an attempt by the government to show that women have no place in political struggle. Pro-European protests have continued in Georgia for more than a year and a half. Protesters are demanding that the country return to the path of EU integration, hold new parliamentary elections, and release those detained during the demonstrations.

● Participants in the protest sent an open letter to the European Union and its member states. The letter says democratic backsliding, political repression and the existence of political prisoners in Georgia require a stronger response from the EU. The authors thanked international partners for their support and said the protests would continue until political prisoners are released, Georgia’s European course is restored, and new free elections are held.

● Representatives of independent media have called for an open trial in the case of detained journalist Eliso Kiladze and for the lifting of what they describe as unjustified restrictions imposed on her. In a joint statement, they said Kiladze has been banned for four months from making phone calls, corresponding with others, or meeting family members, while her trial is being held behind closed doors. Kiladze is under arrest in connection with a fraud case involving so-called “call centers.” She denies the charges and says the case is politically motivated.

● Giorgi Malania, the underage son of a former Georgian deputy interior minister, has been sentenced to prison in connection with the killing of young teacher Gigi Avaliani in Tbilisi. Prosecutors accused Malania of aiding and inciting the intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm by providing the attackers with information about Avaliani’s movements and work schedule. Three other people have already been convicted in the case.

● During the state visit of Uzbekistan’s president to Georgia, the two sides discussed prospects for economic cooperation. The talks focused on the development of the Middle Corridor and closer transport cooperation. Uzbekistan’s economy and transport ministers, who were part of the delegation, visited the construction site of the Anaklia deep-sea port in western Georgia, the port of Poti, and the nearby free industrial zone.

● Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili attended a farewell ceremony in Tehran for an ayatollah killed by U.S. and Israeli forces. During the ceremony, crowds chanted “Death to America,” “Death to Israel,” and “Revenge.” Kavelashvili’s participation drew sharp criticism from Georgia’s opposition and parts of the public.

● Georgia’s Interior Ministry said 50 foreign nationals staying in the country illegally were detained during a special operation. They have been transferred to a temporary detention center while deportation procedures are underway.

● Georgia’s national basketball team defeated reigning world champion Spain 91-89 in a World Cup qualifying game in Tbilisi. Tornike Shengelia was named player of the match after scoring 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. “I consider it important to highlight your steadfast leadership in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Trump Route project, being implemented by our two countries, will undoubtedly become an important guarantee of peace and pave the way for a more peaceful, interconnected and prosperous region,” Pashinyan wrote. He also said Vance’s visit to Armenia in February was significant and “served as a guarantee of high-level political dialogue and mutual trust between Armenia and the United States.”

● Armenia’s Foreign Ministry also sent a congratulatory message. “Yerevan and Washington are marking a historic milestone in bilateral relations that opens broad opportunities. We look forward to further strengthening our ties for the benefit of our peoples,” it said.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is due to meet Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Yekaterinburg on the sidelines of the Innoprom industrial exhibition. Russian sources said Mishustin has also scheduled meetings with the prime ministers of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev.

● Adopting a new constitution remains on the agenda of Armenia’s parliamentary majority, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an address marking Constitution Day. “A constitution establishes the rules by which a country lives, and it matters who sets those rules and how. Since independence, this principle has been significantly undermined, and the people of Armenia do not feel they have ownership over the legal order that governs the country,” he said, adding that this policy had received public backing in the June parliamentary elections.

The issue of constitutional reform is highly sensitive in Armenia because Azerbaijan has long insisted that constitutional amendments are a precondition for signing a peace treaty. Armenia’s current constitution refers to the Declaration of Independence, which includes a reference to the reunification of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian officials, however, have repeatedly said that constitutional reform is an internal matter and is not being discussed with any foreign country. On June 10, Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan said a draft of the new constitution would be published for public discussion in the coming weeks, without giving a specific timeline.

● President Vahagn Khachaturyan also addressed the nation, saying the constitution should not remain a document detached from the times and must respond to modern challenges.

● European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos praised her recent high-level talks in Yerevan, Baku and Ankara. “I have just returned from Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Armenia, where we took our work on connectivity to the next level. This can help secure lasting peace in the South Caucasus while diversifying trade and energy routes between Europe and Asia,” she said.

● Armenia and the European Union held the 15th round of their Human Rights Dialogue at the Foreign Ministry. The sides agreed to continue cooperation on human rights within the framework of the Armenia-EU Partnership Agenda and the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. They also stressed the importance of supporting vulnerable groups, including Armenians displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. The EU reaffirmed its continued support for their integration into Armenian society.

● Security officers searched the home of Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the pro-Russian opposition Prosperous Armenia party, from early morning. A party spokeswoman said lawyers were not being allowed into the house. The Investigative Committee said investigative actions were being carried out as part of a criminal case.

● Armenia’s Constitutional Court rejected the opposition’s request to annul the results of the June parliamentary elections. The ruling is final. Five pro-Russian opposition groups announced the start of a new phase of “political resistance.” Read more here

● Governments need to do more to increase women’s participation in diplomacy, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili said at an event titled “Diplomacy for All: Expanding Boundaries, Representation and Influence.” “As of 2025, women make up around 22% of the diplomatic corps, a significant increase compared with the previous decade. Nevertheless, leadership positions in diplomacy remain far from gender-balanced,” she said.

● Strong winds in Yerevan and surrounding areas brought down trees, damaged power lines and blocked roads.

Photo JAMnews: Khinkali chess in Yerevan

● President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Donald Trump on U.S. Independence Day and the country’s 250th anniversary. In his letter, Aliyev expressed deep appreciation for the U.S. president’s efforts to advance the peace agenda in the South Caucasus, saying they had helped create a situation in which “today Azerbaijan and Armenia live in peace and are developing trade relations.” The letter also highlighted longstanding U.S. support for infrastructure projects, particularly the TRIPP project, which is expected to provide an alternative, reliable and secure transport link between Asia and Europe. “We attach great importance to the further development of the mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States, which has enormous potential,” the letter said.

● The U.S. Embassy thanked Azerbaijan after the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku was illuminated in the colors of the American flag to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. “This symbolic gesture is a wonderful reminder of the more than three decades of friendship between the United States and Azerbaijan, as well as the significant progress our countries have achieved together since August 8, 2025,” the embassy said.

● Russian drones, which have intensified attacks on fuel stations across Ukraine in recent days, destroyed a filling station owned by Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region (pictured). SOCAR Energy Ukraine said all employees were in a shelter at the time of the attack and no one was injured. The company recalled that two of its filling stations in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr and Odesa regions were heavily damaged in Russian attacks last summer, leaving four people seriously injured.

● Speaker of Zimbabwe’s National Assembly Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda is on an official visit to Azerbaijan. Meetings with Azerbaijani officials are scheduled.

● Balakishi Gasimov, director of Azerbaijan’s Public Television, said traditional media in Azerbaijan and around the world face serious challenges from the rapid growth of social media. “Today, television channels merely confirm news that has already spread through social media because viewers still trust television. Around the world, traditional TV is sinking like the Titanic. There are now two options: either continue playing like the orchestra on the Titanic, knowing the ship is sinking, or look for a way out,” Gasimov said.

● At the initiative of the United Azerbaijani Diaspora of Ukraine, ethnic Azerbaijanis serving in Ukraine’s police and other law enforcement agencies were honored at a ceremony in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials, staff from the Azerbaijani embassy and representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora attended the event.

● The 15th International Silk Road Festival has opened in Azerbaijan.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from June 29-3 July, 2026