Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, top stories this morning

● Armenia has officially launched its new biometric passport system at a ceremony in Yerevan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the passports meet all modern international standards and cannot be forged. “This is a very important innovation in terms of increasing international trust in our citizens and our state. But most importantly, this biometric passport system should make life easier for the people of Armenia,” he said.

● More than 1,300 people have already registered to obtain the new biometric passports, Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan said. She noted that Armenia can now join the system of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Yerevan with executives from major international companies in the passenger transport sector. Those attending included IN Groupe head Yan Hage, IN Groupe representative and HayPass board member Isabelle Loiseau, and Corporación América Airports director Martin Eurnekian. They discussed the introduction of biometric passports in Armenia. Pashinyan described the new passports as a strategic step towards improving public services and advancing Armenia’s visa liberalisation process with the EU.

● Armenia is among 29 countries where Russia allows information and advisory centres providing assistance with consular matters to operate.

● Russia’s Foreign Ministry has denied reports that Moscow refused to approve Samvel Mkrtchyan’s appointment as Armenia’s new ambassador to Russia. The Armenian newspaper Hraparak had previously reported the alleged refusal, suggesting it might be linked to Mkrtchyan’s long diplomatic career in European countries. The paper also wrote that Armenia’s current ambassador to Russia, Gurgen Arsenyan, had said goodbye to representatives of various Russian circles in the summer and returned to Armenia in August. He later travelled back to Moscow and resumed his duties.

Samvel Mkrtchyan was appointed Armenia’s ambassador to Poland in November 2018. Before that, he headed Armenia’s diplomatic mission in Lebanon, represented the country at NATO and led the Foreign Ministry’s Department for Arms Control and International Security.

● The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin marked the 27th anniversary of the enthronement of Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. A festive liturgy and patriarchal service were held, and the Skevra reliquary containing the relics of saints was brought out for veneration. Heads of dioceses and pilgrims attended the service, which was led by Bishop Mushegh Babayan. In his sermon, he called Karekin II “one of the outstanding patriarchs” and said he had assumed the throne at a time when Armenia and the Armenian people were just beginning the difficult path of independence.

● Nearly 1,000 lorries are waiting to cross from Russia into Georgia along one of the key transit routes for Armenia, which has no common border with Russia. North Ossetian head Sergey Menyailo said the road was open to traffic but did not explain what had caused the build-up.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his associates gathered in a courtyard in Yerevan for a traditional khash meal – a traditional soup made from beef trotters. Tables were set up under tents and served by specially hired waiters.

● Halloween was marked by noisy and conflicting celebrations in central Yerevan. Hundreds of people took to the streets in costumes, while others held anti-Halloween placards and sang songs in praise of Jesus.

PHOTO: An exhibition in central Yerevan marking the launch of the biometric passport system.

● APA TV reporter Sanan Bahramli was assaulted while covering a major fire at the site of a former meat-processing plant in Baku. The attacker, who identified himself as a security guard, insulted the journalist, physically assaulted him and damaged the news crew’s equipment. He was later identified as Heydar Sardarov. Police detained him and opened a criminal case. Azerbaijan’s Media Council condemned the attack and called for an objective investigation.

● A suspected mass food poisoning incident occurred at the Qizil Qaya restaurant in Baku’s Nizami district. Fourteen people reported symptoms of food poisoning and five were hospitalised. The Food Safety Agency is investigating.

● Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the nomination of OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu for the post of UN Secretary General.

● President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Revolution Day, describing the Algerian people’s struggle for independence as a symbol of heroism, national unity and the pursuit of freedom. He expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation would continue to expand.

● The 11th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Georgia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in Georgia, co-chaired by the two prime ministers, Ali Asadov and Irakli Kobakhidze. They discussed trade, energy, transport, investment and the development of the Middle Corridor. The meeting concluded with the signing of cooperation documents in customs and agriculture. Asadov said Azerbaijan was Georgia’s largest investor, with nearly $4 billion invested in its economy. Kobakhidze said Georgia intended to accelerate the process of delimiting and demarcating the shared border.

● The total value of Azerbaijan’s environmental start-up ecosystem has approached $600 million. Vusal Gasimli, head of the Centre for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, said the country had 161 start-ups in the sector and that the ecosystem’s value had grown by more than 7% over the past year. Azerbaijan ranks 81st worldwide by this measure.

● Azerbaijan marked the first anniversary of the country’s first-ever heart transplant, also the first in the South Caucasus. A conference in Baku heard that more than 1,500 people in the country are currently waiting for organ transplants, including over 50 who need a heart transplant. Around 1,800 people have registered as posthumous organ donors. Specialists say that despite growing interest in donation, demand for transplants still exceeds available capacity.

● Baku will host the World Fire and Rescue Sport Championships for men and women from 2 to 8 November. More than 400 athletes from over 20 countries are expected to take part. Competitors will compete in four events: climbing a training tower using an assault ladder, a 100-metre obstacle course, a 4×100-metre fire relay and a combat deployment event.

● The sixth Victory Run charity race was held in Baku to mark the anniversary of Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Karabakh War. More than 2,000 people took part in the 10-kilometre race, the highest turnout since the event was first held in 2021. Bakhtiyar Asgarli and Anna Yusupova won the race. All registration fees will go to the YASHAT Foundation, which supports families of military personnel killed or wounded in wars.

● Azerbaijan topped the overall team standings in the individual events at the European Judo Championships for athletes under 23 in Naples. Aydar Baghirov won gold in the under-100kg category, while Kenan Nasibov took gold in the over-100kg category. Nasibov became European U-23 champion for the second consecutive year.

● Around 70 animals of various species have been released into the Jabrayil, Lachin and Kalbajar districts as part of efforts to restore biodiversity. They include 40 gazelles, five falcons, four East Caucasian tur, ten partridges and three bezoar goats, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources said. Authorities have also announced the restoration of nature reserves and the creation of a Karabakh National Park covering more than 88,000 hectares.

● Statistics: More than 8.4 tonnes of drugs and psychotropic substances, with an estimated value of 246.3 million manats (around $145 million), were seized from illegal circulation in Azerbaijan between January and September. A total of 4,352 people, including 117 women and 50 foreign nationals, were held criminally liable for drug-related offences.

PHOTO: Two projects by Azerbaijani artists Orkhan and Elvin Nabizade were presented at Baku’s Stone Chronicle Museum. The first, “Ancient Stone, Modern Memory”, draws on the Gobustan rock carvings and depicts Azerbaijan’s wildlife, including the Caucasian leopard, gazelle, grey wolf and brown bear. The second, “Radius of Responsibility”, explores the relationship between humans and wildlife through an interactive format. The presentation was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, head of the Baku Media Centre and daughters of the president.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 26-30 October, 2026