Top stories in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia from 25-29 March, 2024

● Nikol Pashinyan stated that “some people among the displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh are taking steps that threaten the national security of Armenia.” He responded to former head of the unrecognized NKR, Samvel Shahramanyan’s remarks to the French Le Figaro, stating that “the Karabakh government in exile continues to operate in Yerevan.” The Prime Minister emphasized that there is only one government in Armenia and appropriate measures must be taken to prevent external forces from exploiting certain circles to create security threats.

● Armenia will participate for the first time in a meeting of heads of EU parliaments, scheduled to be held in Spain in the middle of next month. NA Speaker Alen Simonyan stated, “Obtaining candidate status for accession to the EU is the most correct and desirable option for Armenia. Much needs to be done to meet European standards so that we don’t have to wait for decades, as with Turkey.”

● Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned, “In 2021, the CSTO was ready to send its peacekeeping mission to Armenia. The mission’s mandate was fully agreed, but Nikol Pashinyan stated in the morning that there was no consensus. A few days later, he invited the EU peacekeeping mission to Armenia.”

● Armenia dispatched 30 tons of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, including food and medicine for approximately 1.5 million people. The plane has already landed at El Arish airport in Egypt.

● This morning, 35 families (138 people) of internally displaced persons relocated to Fizuli for permanent residence, bringing the total to 666 families (2,517 people) provided with permanent residence in Fizuli today.

● Azerbaijan will participate in the 101st meeting of the CIS Economic Council in Moscow today. Delegation heads from Commonwealth countries will discuss various areas of economic cooperation.

● Speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan, have agreed to hold a meeting in May, mediated by the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Their decision follows a March 22 meeting in Geneva during the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

● Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva met with local ethnic Armenian residents in Khankendi to assess their rights security and identify their needs.

● The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has reduced the discount rate from 7.75% to 7.5%.

● Starting June 1, all taxis in the country must be equipped with POS terminals for non-cash payment of travel.

● Child crime rates have increased in Azerbaijan, according to State Statistics Committee data. In 2023, there were 364 crimes committed by minors aged 14 to 17 years, including 46 serious and especially serious offenses, up from 311 the previous year.

● The final court hearing for activist Lazare Grigoriadis, accused of violence during protests against the “law on foreign agents” last March, has been postponed for the second time. Grigoriadis wanted to attend the court remotely, but the judges decided to adjourn the hearing instead. The 21-year-old activist faces 8 to 11 years in prison. This case is in the spotlight of public attention; the verdict was supposed to be pronounced at the end of February, but this has now been postponed until April 8th.

● Russian activist Igor Miglani, supporting Ukrainian refugees, was denied entry into Georgia, according to Egor Kuroptev, Director of the South Caucasus Bureau of the Free Russia Foundation.

● Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, now with the opposition For Georgia party, highlighted concerns about the influence of LGBT propaganda on teenagers, calling it a global issue. His party plans to participate in parliamentary discussions on amendments to the Constitution “to protect family values.”

● Search and rescue efforts in Bakuriani have halted due to avalanche risks, but rescuers aim to resume soon after four people were rescued while one remains under the snow.

● Kutaisi International Airport (Kopitnari) has introduced a new system of modern buses to transport passengers to Kutaisi. The service, priced at 5 lari (about $3), aims to boost tourism in Imereti and Western Georgia.

● In Athens, a 19-year-old Georgian was arrested for injuring two individuals, including the principal and a student, at a school. Greek media reported that he allegedly sought to confront those mistreating his younger brother.

● Media scrutiny surrounds the financial declaration of former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, now the head of the ruling party. It reveals that he and his family rely heavily on support from his retired parents. The declaration outlines key details such as Garibashvili’s 2023 salary of 45,100 lari [$16,500], his expenditure of 42,900 lari [$16,000] on his children’s education, and a gift of 150,000 lari [$55,000] from his parents. Additionally, his parents hired a private plane for 109,500 GEL [$40,000] to facilitate his son’s study in the USA.

● The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Miatovic, criticized the ruling party’s proposed bill on “the fight against LGBT propaganda,” slated to amend the Constitution. Miatovic condemned the initiative as electoral manipulation exploiting LGBTI phobia. She urged Georgian authorities to uphold human rights obligations, including protecting LGBT rights. Many Georgians view the bill as discriminatory and modeled after Russian legislation. A lawyer’s assessment here

● The US State Department expressed concern about the same bill to combat “LGBT propaganda,” highlighting the need for a comprehensive evaluation upon the bill’s full publication, as conveyed to the independent Formula TV channel.

● Another court ruling addresses the illegal dismissal of Ministry of Culture employees following Thea Tsulukiani’s appointment as minister. This time, Natela Mumladze’s case is in focus, with the court ordering her reinstatement, back pay from the dismissal date, and compensation. The Center for Social Justice is advocating for dismissed employees, suggesting a widespread dismissal of individuals deemed “undesirable” by the minister. Read more here

● Imprisoned ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili predicts that only the Victory Platform, comprising the United National Movement and the Agmashenebeli Strategy, will surpass the 5% election threshold and enter parliament in October. Saakashvili outlines the main goals of the United National Movement, including canceling “pension loans,” implementing a state program for Georgian repatriation, and establishing a fund to support small businesses.

● Radio Liberty’s Georgian editorial office is investigating the Pankisi Gorge, home to the Kists, an ethnic group akin to Chechens. Reports from Chechen bloggers suggest the appointment of Takhir Duishvili, a loyalist of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, as the new imam. An audio recording circulating online features the imam expressing gratitude to Kadyrov’s Muftiate and pledging “to align with their objectives in the gorge.”

● With assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross, the remains of 12 individuals missing since the early 1990s Abkhazia war were discovered, identified, and delivered to Tbilisi. The Red Cross program, alongside special commissions on both sides of the conflict, has facilitated the recovery of 285 missing individuals’ remains, though 1,859 are still unaccounted for.

● In a historic achievement, members of the Georgian national football team received the Order of Honor after winning the Euro 2024 final, marking their debut at the European Championship. The team’s first match, scheduled for June 18 in Dortmund, will see them face Turkey.

● “The issue of withdrawing Russian border guards from Zvartnots airport has been finally resolved; they will leave it before August 1,” stated the Speaker of Parliament.

● The Foreign Ministry criticized “propaganda campaigns funded by the Armenian government, citing their detrimental impact on regional peace initiatives.” This reaction follows a report from the international Armenia Support Group, led by the former Prime Minister of Denmark and ex-NATO Secretary General. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that “such costly and unwarranted smear campaigns, involving select politicians and European institutions like the European Parliament and PACE, undermine regional stability and peacebuilding efforts.”

● The Russian Foreign Ministry urged Baku and Yerevan to resume the activities of the trilateral working group. It’s noted that “during the June 2, 2023 meeting of the working group, which included the vice-premiers of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, the parties came close to reaching a comprehensive mutually beneficial solution regarding the opening of regional transport connections in the South Caucasus.”

● Baku extradited two Uzbekistan citizens detained in Azerbaijan to Tashkent. Siyavush Khasanov and Sarvar Abdurakhimov, accused of fraud and placed on the international wanted list, were apprehended on March 6 at the Baku airport.

● The Acting Administrator of the Baku Diocese, Archbishop of Pyatigorsk and Circassia Theophylact, conducted Vespers with the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Baku (pictured). A litany was also held for the souls of all innocents killed in the terrorist attack in Crocus.

● Azerbaijan has experienced over two thousand earthquakes since the beginning of the year. Only those with a magnitude of 3 or higher were publicly reported. According to Azerbaijan’s chief seismologist Gurban Yetirmishli, the frequency of earthquakes in the country is increasing daily.

● The Central Bank of Azerbaijan is expected to announce its decision on the discount rate today. In January, the regulator reduced it from 8 to 7.75%.

● In observance of Ramadan, Azerbaijan will have five days off. While the holiday itself falls on April 10 and 11 this year, April 12 falls on a Friday, thus declared a day off, with April 6 designated as a working day. Therefore, April 10-14 will be non-working days.

● The Speaker of Parliament announced that the issue of withdrawing Russian border guards from Zvartnots airport has been resolved, with their departure scheduled before August 1.

● The Armenian Foreign Ministry stated that the upcoming meeting in Brussels on April 5 between the head of the European Commission, the US Secretary of State, and the Armenian Prime Minister is not aimed against any third countries, refuting earlier claims from Baku suggesting it could destabilize the region.

● Starting April 8, the political movement “Together” will stage a three-day protest rally near the National Assembly, demanding the impeachment of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. They have submitted a resignation request to the Cabinet, setting a deadline of April 10.

● A representative from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, reiterated Russia’s stance urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to refrain from aggressive rhetoric and resolve disputes through negotiations regarding their territorial claims.

● Armenia is providing security guarantees to Russian and Ukrainian athletes during the Sambo World Cup in Yerevan on April 4-5. Athletes will be accommodated in separate hotels and provided separate transportation for safety reasons, as stated by the President of the Sambo Federation, Mikael Airapetyan.

● The number of criminal cases of domestic violence in Armenia nearly doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the press service of the Investigative Committee.

● The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes setting standards for the use of the Armenian flag. In enclosed spaces, flags should not exceed 2.8 meters, and in open areas, the limit is 2 meters. Additionally, raised flags must be illuminated at night. The project has been submitted for public discussion.

● Nikol Pashinyan, Ursula von der Leyen, and Antony Blinken will convene in Brussels to discuss avenues for trilateral cooperation aimed at Armenia’s development. The meeting, scheduled for April 5, will involve the Armenian Prime Minister, the President of the European Commission, and the US Secretary of State.

● Yerevan is actively engaged in negotiations with Baku to establish consensus on fundamental principles, emphasizing the necessity of international partners’ assistance, as stated by the Armenian Foreign Ministry. Ararat Mirzoyan affirmed Armenia’s commitment to achieving substantial progress in the negotiations, contrasting the perceived lack of similar efforts from Azerbaijan.

● The Iranian Ambassador to Russia has suggested the possibility of a new regional meeting in the 3+3 format later this year.

● Two Armenian wrestlers are set to participate in the European qualifying tournament in Baku, slated for April 5-7.

● The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and Rusatom Service have inked a contract for the supply of equipment and the modernization of the cooling system in the reactor compartment of the power unit.

● The Center for Georgian Studies has been inaugurated at Yerevan State University, with the attendance of Georgia’s Minister of Education, Science, and Youth, Giorgi Amilakhvari.

● The Ukrainian national team has applied to compete in the World Sambo Cup in Yerevan, scheduled for April 4-5. This marks a shift, as Ukrainian athletes had previously declined to participate alongside Russian and Belarusian representatives in most cases.

● Today marks the first working day following a 7-day holiday in observance of Novruz.

● Early this morning, 35 families (comprising 134 individuals) of internally displaced persons departed from the outskirts of Baku to relocate permanently to the city of Fizuli. This development brings the total number of families accommodated in Fuzuli to 631, totaling 2,379 people.

● The Ministry of Defense has reported the discovery of another abandoned base of the Armenian Armed Forces in Karabakh. The evacuation from the site included one tank, four D-20 artillery mounts, three Ural combat vehicles, and one KAMAZ, all loaded with artillery shells and specialized equipment.

● Baku has extradited four citizens of Kyrgyzstan who were detained in Azerbaijan to Bishkek, as reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

● Religious leaders from Azerbaijan, under the leadership of Chairman Allahshukur Pashazade of the Caucasus Muslim Office, paid a visit to the Russian Embassy in Baku. During the visit, they signed a book of condolences opened in connection with the terrorist attack in Crocus.

● The Georgian national football team secured their spot in the European Championship by defeating Greece in a tense match, ultimately prevailing 4-2 on penalties. The group stage opponents for the Georgian team in the European Championship have been revealed: they will face Turkey, Portugal, and the Czech Republic.

● The words ‘A visionary and an individual of remarkable intellect’ were used by Mamuka Mdinaradze, the executive secretary of the ruling party, to refer to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the party, who is often considered an oligarch and the shadow ruler of Georgia.

● The EU observer mission in Georgia has appointed Bettina Bugan as its new leader, who will oversee the mission until December 14, 2024.

● An evacuation was conducted at five public schools in the Kobuleti district of the Achara region. According to reports from the Georgian edition of Radio Liberty, students were alerted via social media about the presence of an explosive device in the building.

● A confrontation erupted near the Liberty Bank building in Tbilisi, resulting in one person sustaining a gunshot wound to the stomach. One individual was arrested, as reported by the Mtavari Arkhi TV channel.

● Another rally of cancer patients took place near the parliament (see picture). They have been demanding the government’s promise of full funding for treatment and the removal of the annual limit of 25,000 lari (approximately $9,000) for several months. They also insist on the timely delivery of all necessary modern drugs to Georgia and the assurance of funding. The protesters are demanding a meeting with the Minister of Health.

● The Prime Minister visited Armenia. At a joint briefing in Yerevan with Irakli Kobakhidze, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that they agreed to “do everything possible to open new horizons in relations between the two countries.” Pashinyan also emphasized that “Armenia confirms its responsibility in establishing peace and stability in the region.” Kobakhidze affirmed that “Georgia unconditionally supports the territorial integrity of Armenia” and expressed hope “for favorable outcomes of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

● Pashinyan mentioned during the press conference that the issue of border demarcation between the two countries was discussed during the meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister.

● The Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia jointly inaugurated the new building of the Georgian Embassy in Yerevan during Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit (see picture).

● The ruling party announced its intention to initiate a constitutional amendment project in parliament soon, focusing on “guarantees for the protection of family values and minors.” This initiative is perceived as “another Russian law” in society, aimed at prohibiting “LGBT propaganda.” Read more here

● The For Georgia party, led by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, stated its intention to participate in the discussion of the ruling party’s proposed constitutional amendments related to “the protection of family values and minors.” Other opposition groups have not yet made statements.

● The collection of signatures demanding the release of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili from prison has been completed. A petition with over 200,000 signatures was submitted by Saakashvili’s representative Sofo Japaridze and leaders of the United National Movement party to the presidential administration, urging a pardon for Saakashvili.

● The party’s general secretary, Petre Tsiskarishvili, emphasized that “the parliamentary elections in October cannot be democratic if Saakashvili does not participate in the election campaign.”

● Tonight, the final match of the Nations League playoffs will be held in Tbilisi, where the Georgian national team will face off against the Greek team. In light of this, metro services have been extended, operating until two o’clock in the morning. Several bus routes will also run late into the night.

● “Toivo Klaar cannot shake off his prejudices and only sees wrongdoing in the legitimate discourse about the return of Azerbaijani villages. He completely disregards calls in the Armenian media to advocate for the continuation of the illegal occupation. For your information, villages are not the subject of a territorial dispute,” stated Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizadeh on social media. Earlier, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar accused Azerbaijani media of issuing “threats” against Armenia.

● The Azerbaijan Press Council denounced Russian TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov’s stance regarding the terrorist attack in Crocus, labeling his remarks as “information sabotage aimed at linking Azerbaijan with this tragedy.” “It seems like the primary goal is to undermine the current high level of Azerbaijani-Russian relations. There is no doubt that Solovyov’s attempt to find traces of Azerbaijan in the terrorist attack stems from his pro-Armenian fanaticism,” noted the Press Council.

● Azerbaijani special services apprehended a man suspected of plotting terrorist attacks in the country. “36-year-old Bahruz Askerov was plotting an assassination attempt on the head of the Lenkoran district administration. He attempted to recruit individuals from various regions of the republic and issued instructions to them,” stated the State Security Service.

● Oil exports from Azerbaijan in January-February 2024 totaled 4.5 million tons, marking an 11.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the country’s State Customs Committee. The total value of oil exports during this period amounted to $2.8 billion, a 13.1% decrease from last year. Italy was the primary buyer, accounting for 35.4% of total oil exports from Azerbaijan.

● In January-February 2024, Azerbaijan welcomed 341 thousand foreign visitors, a 46.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The top three countries in terms of tourist numbers were Russia (26.8%), Turkey (19.9%), and Iran (6.9%). The country’s land borders have been closed since March 2020.

● The alarm sounded at the Baku shopping center Dəniz mall, prompting the evacuation of visitors. The mall management later clarified that the alarm was triggered by a technical glitch.

● “Georgia unequivocally supports Armenia’s territorial integrity,” stated Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during a joint briefing in Yerevan with his Armenian counterpart. He emphasized Tbilisi’s commitment to stability and peaceful coexistence in the South Caucasus.

● Pashinyan and Kobakhidze inaugurated a new Georgian Embassy building in downtown Yerevan, which was purchased by Tbilisi this year.

● “We hope that political will in Yerevan will prevail to further develop our relations, and we will successfully navigate through this challenging period,” remarked Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s press secretary.

● “Threats against Armenia in Azerbaijani media are unacceptable. Genuine negotiations on border demarcation are essential, and all territorial disputes must be peacefully resolved through an agreed process,” stated EU Special Representative for the crisis in the South Caucasus and Georgia, Toivo Klaar.

● Armenia awaits proposals for the construction of a new nuclear power plant from both Russia and other countries, announced Armenian Nuclear Power Plant General Director Eduard Martirosyan at the ATOMEXPO-2024 international forum in Sochi.

● Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian visited the Russian Embassy and signed the book of condolences following the terrorist attack in Moscow on March 22.

● “More than 57 thousand Indian citizens crossed Armenia’s border in 2023, with almost 40.5 thousand of them having already left the country,” stated Ara Fidanyan, Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during a parliamentary session.

● On March 24, an armed group raided a police station in Yerevan, detonating a grenade. Two attackers sustained shrapnel wounds and were hospitalized, while the third was neutralized by security forces. The motive behind their actions remains unknown. Yerevan Vice-Mayor Armen Pambukhchyan described the incident as “resembling a terrorist act.”

● Outside the Russian embassy in Yerevan, individuals holding burning candles arranged the word “MOURN” in remembrance of those killed in the Crocus terrorist attack.

● Twenty-four individuals were arrested for illegal possession of weapons and ammunition. All detainees belong to the “Combat Brotherhood” union, which organized self-defense activities for the local population in the border areas of Tavush.

● A new exhibit featuring the last international passport of renowned director Parajanov has been unveiled at the Parajanov Museum in Yerevan. He carried this passport to Paris in 1990 for medical treatment.

● The painting “Salome” has returned to the exhibition hall of the National Gallery of Armenia (pictured). It was removed from permanent display in 2019 for restoration purposes.

● President Ilham Aliyev telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to convey condolences regarding the terrorist attack at Crocus. Aliyev expressed his belief that those responsible for the attack and their backers will face severe punishment. The leaders of both countries underscored their commitment to ongoing collaborative efforts in combating terrorism.

● Throughout the weekend, people visited a spontaneous memorial at the Russian Embassy in Baku, laying flowers in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attack.

● Azerbaijani Vugar Huseynov and his wife Lilit Israelyan (pictured) were among those attending the concert at Crocus. Tragically, both lost their lives, leaving behind a one-and-a-half-year-old child.

● The Ministry of Defense Industry refuted and dismissed as false the information circulated in Armenian telegram channels alleging the shipment of military supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine.

● Azerbaijani serviceman Eljan Bagirov tragically took his own life in the Shamkir region. This incident was confirmed by the military prosecutor’s office of Azerbaijan.

● The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the discovery of a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition in the basements of a school and a music college in Khankendi (in Karabakh).

● The Goytepe reservoir in the Jalilabad district reached full capacity for the first time in the past decade, following heavy rainfall in recent days.

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze embarks on an official visit to Armenia today, where he will meet with his counterpart Nikol Pashinyan.

● Levan Murusidze, a member of the High Council of Justice under American sanctions, reported on the outcomes of the 32nd judges’ conference held over the weekend. Key highlights include:

1) Election of two members to the High Council of Justice – Vasil Mshvenieradze and Levan Tevzadze, with Nikoloz Marsagishvili appointed as secretary.

2) Unanimous condemnation by conference participants of the Venice Commission’s proposal to establish a commission for assessing judges’ integrity and professionalism, comprising foreign and Georgian experts. This proposal is endorsed by Georgian civil society and is an EU recommendation for Georgia’s European integration process. Read more here

● The Georgian national football team shares commentary from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Napoli winger and beloved Georgian national team player, regarding the upcoming Georgia-Greece match in the Euro 2024 final in Tbilisi tomorrow, March 26. Kvaratskhelia writes, “The strongest will win, and I hope that on this day, the strongest team will be us. “We respect them [the Greek team], we know their strength, but I don’t think anyone from their team will find it pleasant to play the final in Georgia in front of such a large number of fans.”

● From 8 am today until 12 noon on March 27, car traffic restrictions are imposed on Rustaveli Avenue in the center of Tbilisi in anticipation of the Euro 2024 final match on March 26. The match will be broadcast live on a large screen at Republic Square, attracting a large crowd.

● The Russian Interests Department of the Swiss Embassy in Georgia expresses gratitude on its Facebook page to those who offered condolences and brought flowers and candles to the embassy building in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow.

? Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the photo

Top stories in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia from February March 18-22, 2024