Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 27 October-1 November, 2024

● *U.S. Helsinki Commission:* “Washington and the EU must take Georgia’s democratic backslide and the ruling Georgian Dream’s increasingly sophisticated authoritarian tactics seriously. Recent elections faced major issues, and the results likely do not reflect the people’s will.”

● *Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden* issued a joint statement urging Georgian authorities to conduct an impartial investigation into alleged violations in the October 26 parliamentary elections “to dispel doubts about the integrity of the electoral process.”

● *Prosecutor’s Office:* Those publicly alleging election violations are refusing to provide evidence or cooperate with the investigation. Authorities have launched 47 cases related to potential violations and are investigating possible election fraud at the request of the Central Election Commission. Both President Salome Zourabichvili and opposition leaders have declined to appear, expressing distrust in the investigation.

● *Charges filed* against Marneuli district’s Deputy Head Rovshan Iskandarov and another individual, detained for ballot-stuffing at the 69th polling station. The election results from this station were invalidated.

● *Ukrainian Foreign Ministry:* “Georgia’s parliamentary elections were marked by bribery, coercion, and voter intimidation, with a lack of transparency. Unsurprisingly, Russia praised the results.” The ministry urged Georgia to investigate all violations, avoid “Belarus’s path,” and expressed support for Georgia’s EU and NATO aspirations.

● *November 4 opposition rally:* At 7 p.m. in central Tbilisi, opposition leaders will announce a plan of action centered on street protests, following the October 26 election results. This was confirmed at a joint briefing by leaders of three opposition alliances that entered the new parliament.

● *Economic impact:* Starting November 1, Georgia’s largest enterprises—the Chiatura manganese mines and the Zestafoni ferroalloy plant—will halt operations for six months, affecting up to 5,400 jobs. The shutdown is attributed to financial problems faced by the parent company.

● *Georgian wrestler Avtandil Kentchadze* won gold at the World Championships in non-Olympic weight categories in Tirana, Albania.

Photo: Press conference of opposition leaders / Interpressnews

● “Azerbaijan and Armenia have made significant progress in peace agreement negotiations. However, Armenia’s territorial claims against Azerbaijan, enshrined in its constitution, remain a major obstacle,” stated Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov during a meeting with UK Minister of State Stephen Doughty in Baku.

● “France’s provocations aimed at maintaining regional tension reveal the true nature of its policy during both the conflict and post-conflict periods.” The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry responded to accusations by French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies in an interview with the Armenian outlet Hetq. “The French ambassador’s focus on a smear campaign against Azerbaijan, rather than on Armenian-French relations, reflects the failure of France’s foreign policy,” the statement added. Decottignies referenced Armenian Prime Minister’s remarks that most of the agreement has been settled and Yerevan is ready to sign it, with discussions on unresolved issues to continue. “As the host of COP29 (the international environmental forum in Baku in November), Azerbaijan draws international attention, which brings special responsibilities. At this stage, Baku’s primary responsibility is reaching a peace agreement with Armenia,” said the French ambassador.

● Due to COP29, starting November 4, final and intermediate stops for dozens of bus routes in Baku will be modified. The forum will take place from November 11 to 22.

● As of today, drivers are prohibited from entering lanes marked “COP29” on Baku’s roads (see photo). Violators will be fined 100 manats (about $60).

● Details have emerged about the murder of former Russian Drama Theater actor Iosif Tkach in Baku. Suspect Islam Khadiyev, who worked as a handyman in Tkach’s apartment, borrowed money in increments from the couple, eventually accumulating a debt of 50,000 manats (around $30,000). Khadiyev delayed repayment, and Tkach threatened to report him to the police if the debt wasn’t repaid. After killing the elderly couple, Khadiyev fled to the Salyan region, where he was apprehended.

● Five individuals wanted internationally have been extradited from Russia to Azerbaijan. Gadim Adilov, Ilgar Israfilov, Namig Garibov, Mahir Guseynov, and Vahid Abbasov were detained in Russia and are all suspected of committing criminal offenses.

● A fire broke out in an 11-story residential building in Khyrdalan, located 7 kilometers from Baku. Emergency responders and local residents managed to evacuate the building, and the fire was swiftly extinguished with no reported injuries.

● “The issue of recognizing the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, as well as its study, is not a priority in Armenia’s foreign policy agenda,” said Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in parliament.

● Azerbaijan has informally welcomed Armenia’s proposals on unblocking regional transport links. “I mention this to highlight the positive atmosphere in this area,” said Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during budget hearings in parliamentary committees.

● In Yerevan, a monument was unveiled honoring People’s Artist Yervand Manaryan (pictured). Manaryan is especially remembered for his role as the “French teacher” in the Soviet comedy *Bride from the North* (1975). To mark the artist’s centenary, the monument was placed in the city center near the Tumanyan Puppet Theater.

● A bill allowing retired officers to return to service passed its second and final reading in parliament. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan announced that these officers will serve in border units and special divisions, such as intelligence, UAVs, communications, and air defense.

● A second runway will be constructed at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport. The Ministry of Economy reported that it has nearly concluded negotiations with the concessionaire, Armenia International Airports, owned by the family of Argentine billionaire Eduardo Eurnekian.

● Armenian authorities plan to expand the list of the country’s intangible cultural heritage. Currently consisting of 51 items, the list may soon include an additional 17, such as the *Atamhatik* ceremony marking a baby’s first tooth, according to Minister Zhanna Andreasyan.

● EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski: “Due to the government’s course, EU leaders have halted Georgia’s accession process. This process will remain on hold until Georgia stops straying from EU values.” Read more here

● The European Commission has published its annual enlargement report, giving a low assessment of Georgia’s progress as an EU candidate. Georgia’s alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy stands at 49%, which the report describes as a “significantly low level.” None of the nine recommendations for Georgia have been met, and in some areas, the country has even regressed, according to the report.

● Here are the details of the nine recommendations that Georgia, as an EU candidate country, was expected to fulfill.

● EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stated, “In recent months, we have seen consolidated actions by the Georgian authorities that are steering the country away from the European path, rejecting European values and principles. We are offering Georgian leaders a clear path to resume cooperation. First and foremost, they must repeal the ‘foreign agents’ law, which has negatively impacted civil society and the media, as well as the ‘anti-LGBT’ legislative package. This will be the first indicator of Georgia’s willingness to take appropriate steps.”

● President Salome Zourabichvili has been summoned by the prosecutor’s office in connection with an investigation into alleged election fraud. The complaint was filed by the Central Election Commission (CEC), which stated that, following the election, it had “become the target of intense attacks and unfounded criticism from the president and certain political parties.” On October 29, the CEC requested that the prosecutor’s office investigate the validity of these claims. Read more here

● However, Salome Zourabichvili stated that she would not comply with the summons to the prosecutor’s office, advising the agency to “focus on its own responsibilities and avoid political score-settling with the president.”

● U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller: “The United States insists on an investigation into violations during the parliamentary elections in Georgia on October 29 and is consulting with its allies on this issue.”

● The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) is demanding the annulment of results from 2,263 polling stations due to violations of voting secrecy and has presented supporting evidence. The “My Voice” coalition, which also monitored polling stations on election day, is calling for the annulment of results from an additional 246 polling stations.

● The CEC has denied accusations regarding poor-quality paper used for ballots, which allegedly compromised voting secrecy, as the number selected by voters could be seen from the back of the sheet. The CEC reported that ballots were printed on 190-gram offset paper, thicker than what the supplier company recommended. The paper selection process was public: ballots were printed in printing houses chosen according to the law, with local and international observers monitoring the entire process, the CEC stated.

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that “the statements from the U.S. Helsinki Commission hold no value, as the commission was directly involved in the election campaign in support of the opposition, an unprecedented and incomprehensible act.” He added, “I would like to remind you of the Helsinki Commission’s previous statement—it threatened to publish discrediting information about the ruling party before the election, yet nothing was released. The very existence of this threat is unprecedented and absolutely incomprehensible.” Following the election in Georgia, the Helsinki Commission stated, “There is clear evidence that the election results do not reflect the will of the Georgian people.”

Photo by David Pipia/JAMnews. The posters read: “Yes to Europe, no to Russia” and “You can’t block our path to Europe.”

● Among the deceased and injured from the floods in Spain, there are no citizens of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

● In preparation for COP29, medical organizations in Baku have been put on standby. The emergency and urgent care department at “Yeni Klinika” has designated 10 beds equipped with special monitors and oxygen panels, 3 beds in the children’s emergency department, 10 beds in the inpatient unit, 4 beds in the intensive care unit, 3 beds in the children’s intensive care unit, and 1 operating room. The modular-type Mohammadi hospital at the Sabunchu Medical Center has allocated 370 beds for intensive care and inpatient treatment.

● In Baku, stalls along the roads adjacent to the market known as “Eighth Market” are being demolished. “After the work is completed, cleaning, landscaping, and greening activities will be carried out in the area,” the executive authority stated.

● A fire broke out in an apartment of a multi-story building in the Khatai district of Baku. Emergency service personnel evacuated 10 residents. The fire was quickly extinguished, and there were no casualties.

● The relocation of the Azerbaijan national football team to Gabala due to COP29 will cost the local football association a substantial amount. According to local media, AFFA will spend about 120,000 manats (approximately $70,000) on renovation work currently being carried out at the city stadium in Gabala. The UEFA Nations League match between Azerbaijan and Estonia, originally scheduled for November 16 in Baku, has been moved to Gabala due to COP29.

● Car recycling has begun in Azerbaijan. The first citizen to use the new service, Hayal Azizli, reported that he had a 1986 Volkswagen Getta that had been sitting unused in his yard for many years. He was offered two options for recycling: a voucher for 1,500 manats (about $880) for purchasing a “Khazar” vehicle or a one-time cash payment of 1,050 manats (about $620). The man chose the cash payment.

● For the first time in the last 10 years, a child has been given the name Atatürk in Azerbaijan. Previously, naming children with this name had not been officially recommended in the civil registry offices.

● Yerevan aims to make the signing of a peace agreement a reality in the near future, stated the head of the Prime Minister’s office. “In this regard, the contacts between Pashinyan and Aliyev are beneficial. We see the possibility of agreeing on the points that have not yet been resolved,” said Araik Arutyunyan to reporters.

● Nikol Pashinyan’s office will invite Turkish media to Armenia to cover the “Crossroads of the World” initiative. This was announced in parliament by Araik Arutyunyan, head of the Prime Minister’s office. A visit from Iranian experts is also planned in the near future.

● A draft law has been presented in the National Assembly of Armenia that allows retired officers to return to service. One of the authors, deputy head of the relevant commission, Armen Khachatryan, stated that the goal is to attract experienced and qualified military personnel to active duty. The state will continue to pay them pensions for their years of service.

● The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed condolences to the families of the victims and everyone affected by the catastrophic flooding in Spain.

● Narek Mkrtchyan (81 kg) won the gold medal at the U20 European Championship in Poland. In the combined event, Narek achieved a total of 341 kg (150+191).

● The U.S. President has called on the Georgian government to investigate “numerous abuses of administrative resources, as well as voter intimidation and coercion” during the October 26 parliamentary elections. “According to independent international and local observers, these elections were neither free nor fair,” Biden stated. He also urged the authorities to “repeal laws, such as the so-called ‘Foreign Influence Law,’ which restrict freedoms of assembly and expression, and to immediately engage in comprehensive dialogue with all political forces in Georgia to restore the integrity of the electoral process. We call on all parties to strictly adhere to the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, which remain the cornerstone of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future.”

● The four opposition parties that secured parliamentary seats refused to accept their mandates, claiming the elections were rigged. Nonetheless, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced the composition of the new parliament, which is as follows:

• Five electoral entities surpassed the 5% threshold.
• The votes cast for parties that did not pass the threshold were converted into two parliamentary mandates: one was allocated to the ruling Georgian Dream, which secured first place, and the other to the Coalition for Change, which came in second.
• Georgian Dream — 89 seats (53.936% of the vote)
• Coalition for Change — 19 seats (11.034%)
• Unity-National Movement — 16 seats (10.166%)
• Strong Georgia — 14 seats (8.809%)
• Giorgi Gakharia – For Georgia — 12 seats (7.769%)

● In an interview with the Associated Press, President Salome Zurabishvili stated that “an Armenian carousel” was used during the elections in Georgia. This remark sparked backlash from pro-Western politicians and civil society in Armenia, who responded by saying that “such corrupt voting methods have never been used in Armenia since the 2018 Velvet Revolution.” Zurabishvili detailed to AP: “Ahead of the elections, the IDs of socially vulnerable individuals were collected under various pretexts, and each of these documents was used to vote multiple times, with some cases reportedly allowing up to 17 votes.”

● The U.S. Helsinki Commission on European Security and Cooperation noted that “the evidence of electoral fraud provided by politicians and observers indicates systemic violations […] The election results do not reflect the will of the Georgian people.”

● The CEC has appealed to the prosecutor’s office to investigate and punish individuals “making unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.” The commission emphasized the need to assess the truthfulness of these statements, asserting that “the President of Georgia and representatives of political parties are attacking the CEC with baseless accusations, causing reputational damage to the commission.”

● The election administration also announced the launch of an anti-disinformation campaign, promising to publish rebuttals to opposition statements on its Facebook page.

● The opposition coalition *Unity-National Movement* called on the CEC to publish lists of all voters along with the polling stations where they cast their votes. However, the CEC rejected this request, citing legal restrictions on disclosing personal information.

● Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán concluded his visit to Georgia, stating, “The Georgian people voted for peace and prosperity in free and democratic elections.” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze added, “With Hungary’s support, we will continue on the path toward EU integration, which remains our foreign policy priority.”

● The prime ministers of the UAE and Turkey also congratulated Kobakhidze and *Georgian Dream* on their election victory. The list of countries that have extended congratulations so far includes Hungary, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and the UAE. Meanwhile, the EU and the U.S. continue to express concern over electoral violations, urging the Georgian authorities to investigate.

● On Tuesday evening, the student movement “Dapioni” organized a protest march from Tbilisi State University’s main building to the parliament (pictured). The participants claimed that the October 26 elections were “rigged, and the government was stolen,” adding that they were “on the streets to defend freedom and democracy.”

● Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated, “Russia is intensifying its hybrid operations in the EU’s neighborhood. The recent parliamentary elections in Georgia and the EU referendum in Moldova are clear examples of such interference.”

● The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said, “International observers reported numerous violations both during the electoral campaign and on election day in Georgia. They do not consider the elections to have been free and fair.”

● Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson commented, “All indications point to widespread violations. We cannot cooperate with governments that oppose the values we stand for.” Earlier, Swedish Ambassador to Georgia Anna Liberg confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the Swedish government is suspending bilateral cooperation with the Georgian government.

● Meanwhile, a representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lin Jiang, remarked, “The parliamentary elections in Georgia were held smoothly. China respects the will of the Georgian people and is ready to develop relations with Georgia.”

● Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro expressed support for the Georgian government, calling the elections “stellar” and accusing the U.S. of interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs “as if it were their colony.”

● Opposition leaders held a closed-door meeting to formulate a strategy. They also met with President Salome Zurabishvili on Tuesday. Both the opposition and the president have rejected the election results. The opposition parties, which secured seats in parliament, are demanding an international audit of the election results and fresh elections, to be conducted by international partners.

● “We have already gathered evidence of electoral fraud, and it will soon be published, revealing some very unexpected aspects,” said Nika Gvaramia, leader of the opposition party *Ahali*, a member of the *Coalition for Change*.

● Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili cautioned foreign actors: “If you don’t want to embarrass yourselves again before the Georgian people and end up apologizing, base your statements on facts, not assumptions.” He reminded observers that October 30 is the deadline for submitting complaints regarding electoral violations, after which investigations will begin. “Those abroad criticizing the elections should instead investigate how Edison Research manipulated exit polls,” Papuashvili added, referring to the company that conducted exit polls for the opposition-aligned TV channel *Formula*, showing that the ruling party received only 40-42% of the vote.

● Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze commented, “The violations were isolated cases and are being investigated, but they could not have affected the election outcome.”

● Papuasvhili also stated, “Parliament will function just fine without the opposition. Recall how they behave in parliament—they scream, shout, jump on desks, and block the podium. Whether they participate or not won’t make much of a difference.”

● The ruling party has selected its candidate for the position of justice minister—Srbuhi Galyan. She previously served as deputy justice minister and is currently a deputy prosecutor general, overseeing cases related to the confiscation of illegal assets.

● In an interview with AP, Salome Zourabichvili claimed that an “Armenian carousel” was used during the elections in Georgia—where the same individuals vote multiple times at different polling stations. She later remarked that perhaps, in Armenia, they refer to it as a “Georgian carousel.”

● Armenian weightlifter Gor Saakyan (73 kg) won gold at the European Championships in Poland, achieving a total of 320 kg in the combined event.

● Members of the ruling faction expressed dissatisfaction with the cultural and spiritual TV channel “Shoghakat.” Their main complaint was that the channel covered opposition rallies, which they believe it should not have done. Some deputies suggested shutting it down, arguing that cultural and spiritual development should be handled by those who are truly capable.

● The goddess Anahit brought the History Museum of Armenia 30 million drams (about $78,000) in just two months from the display of her head and hand, according to education minister Zhanna Andreasyan.

● “The European Parliament is using COP29 against Azerbaijan. Its resolution is full of lies and slander,” stated Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova. “This is yet another step by forces unwilling to accept stability in the South Caucasus. It challenges our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she said.

● Ten public schools and four preschools are now operating in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. The preschools serve 96 children, while 1,803 students are enrolled in schools, bringing the total number of learners to 1,899, reported Eshgi Bagirov, Director of the State Agency for Preschool and General Education.

● Parliament has approved, in its first reading, a bill to introduce minimum retail prices for alcoholic beverages. Selling alcohol below these minimum prices will be prohibited.

● The tax service penalized 43 food service and retail businesses in Baku for accepting non-cash payments through card-to-card transfers instead of POS terminals.

● Deputy Health Minister Nadir Zeynalov announced that guests arriving in Baku for COP29 will not need to provide COVID-19 tests. This is despite the fact that Azerbaijan has extended its special quarantine regime until January 1, 2025, and the country’s land borders remain officially closed for the fifth consecutive year due to the pandemic.

● There is no monkeypox activity in Azerbaijan, confirmed the Ministry of Health.

● Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestler Eldeniz Azizli became a four-time world champion, defeating Iran’s Pouya Marza in the final of the World Wrestling Championships in Tirana, Albania. Nihat Mammadli (63 kg) and Ulvi Ganizade (72 kg) also secured gold medals, making Azerbaijan the world champion in the team rankings.

● Baku hosted the *Buffalo Show* circus performance (featured in video), featuring stars from Belarus, Germany, Russia, Kenya, and other countries.

● About 100,000 people gathered on Monday evening in front of the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi, protesting the results of the parliamentary elections held on October 26. CEC declared the ruling *Georgian Dream* party victorious with over 53% of the vote, despite exit polls predicting no more than 42%. Most observers agree that the victory of the ruling party’s leader, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, shifts Georgia’s course from pro-Western to pro-Russian. President Salome Zourabichvili called on the people to protest, stating that the elections were rigged and that she would not accept the results. She also urged the West to support the Georgian people by refusing to recognize the elections as legitimate. Leaders from all four opposition parties that entered Parliament addressed the rally, affirming they would not take their parliamentary mandates and demanding new elections with international observers.

● Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of Parliament, stated, “The ruling party has enough votes to start the new parliament’s work without the opposition.” He announced that *Georgian Dream* secured 89 seats in the 150-member parliament.

● Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán arrived in Georgia for an unexpected visit, accompanied by several government members. His presence was also unexpected at the Marriott Hotel in central Tbilisi, where opposition leaders were meeting with Western diplomats at the time.

● The European Union criticized Orbán’s visit to Georgia, calling it “premature.” In a joint statement signed by 13 EU foreign ministers (from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden), they emphasized, “Orbán does not speak on behalf of the EU.” The statement expressed deep concern over the situation in Georgia and condemned violations reported by international observers. It called for an impartial investigation into complaints and for ensuring protests remain peaceful, stressing that election integrity is essential for Georgia’s progress towards EU membership.

● Preliminary assessments of international election observation missions, including the OSCE/ODIHR, can be found here.

● The Georgian watchdog organization “My Voice” monitored election day and is demanding the annulment of results from nearly 200 polling stations, representing over 300,000 voters (about 10% of the electorate). They cited a scheme involving falsified IDs, claiming that election officials were placed to aid in fraud. In many locations, registration tables were positioned too close to walls, blocking observers’ view of verification screens. Observers were also removed on various pretexts, and fights were staged outside polling stations to distract them, while buses transported individuals with fake IDs from one station to another.

● ISFED, an independent Georgian election monitoring mission, reported widespread violations and concluded that the October 26 election results do not reflect the true will of Georgian voters. More information can be found here.

● Sweden announced it is halting all direct cooperation with the Georgian government, which previously amounted to around €17.37 million annually for infrastructure and other programs. A new €2.17 million aid package will be directed towards supporting civil society instead. Sweden’s Minister for International Development and Trade, Benjamin Dosa, explained that this decision is a response to the violations reported during the parliamentary elections. Cooperation with Georgia will resume only if the country returns to its path toward European integration.

● Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade declared that it would review its relations with the Georgian leadership, citing widespread voter intimidation, vote-buying, and other election-day violations reported by the OSCE/ODIHR and other observers. Canada reiterated that free, fair, and independent elections are essential to democracy and will coordinate its response with G7 and European partners. The ministry emphasized that Canada remains open to cooperation with Georgia as long as the government respects democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Canadian authorities also urged calm and called on Georgian authorities to respect people’s rights and safety during peaceful protests.

● Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed Moscow’s willingness to engage in dialogue with Georgia if further contact is proposed. “We have never shied away from contact,” Lavrov said.

● Alexander Dugin, a Kremlin propagandist and ideologue of the so-called “Russian World,” insulted Georgian emigrants who overwhelmingly voted for the opposition in the elections held abroad. “If you are abroad, you are not Georgian. You are an exile and a traitor, and your vote should not count. To have the right to vote, one must be worthy. For example, anyone who supports LGBT rights—banned in both Russia and Georgia—is automatically a degenerate, pervert, and idiot. Such people should not be trusted to participate in elections. Liberals belong in clinics and detention centers, not at polling stations,” Dugin wrote. Earlier, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze had commented that citizens living abroad lack adequate information about the country’s development.

Photo: David Pipia/JAMnews.

● Several streets and squares in Baku were flooded again due to rain. See last week’s downpour consequences here.

● Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin’s participation in the UN climate conference in Baku is still undecided.

● Russian investigators may assist in uncovering the circumstances behind the murder of 85-year-old actor Iosif Tkach and his wife in Baku. A 51-year-old man was arrested shortly after the crime.

● A balcony collapsed in Baku’s Sabail district. No injuries were reported, but a parked car was damaged.

Video: How preparations are being made in Baku for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) scheduled for November 11-22. This will be the 29th conference and the first to take place in the post-Soviet space.

● There is currently no risk of military escalation, and the border situation remains relatively stable – Chief of General Staff, Edward Asryan.

● Armenia has no plans to discuss the withdrawal of Russian border guards stationed near the Iranian and Turkish borders – Head of the NSS, Armen Abazyan.

● Yerevan and Baku may soon hold talks on prisoners and missing persons, said NSS Chief Armen Abazyan.

● The Foreign Ministry condemned “last week’s actions against Iran, aimed at undermining international security.” The statement, published on X, expressed hope that diplomacy will protect international law and prevent further undesirable events.

● Armenia’s unemployment rate officially dropped by 4.9%, according to Finance Minister Vache Ohanian, though the final unemployment figure wasn’t disclosed. In 2023, it stood at 12.6%. Ohanian also reported a reduction in poverty, from 27% to 23.7%. JAMnews offers a comparative analysis on hidden poverty across Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, with video surveys from Yerevan, Baku, and Tbilisi available through the link.

? Armenia’s military spending will reach 6% of GDP in 2025, up 0.7% from the current year. Defense spending will exceed $1.7 billion, a 20% increase from current levels, according to Finance Minister Vache Ohanian. The defense sector will account for 55.8% of capital expenditures.

● President Salome Zourabichvili announced that she does not recognize the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections and called them a “Russian special operation.” She called on citizens to gather today at 7 p.m. outside the parliament for a “symbolic protest” to declare the illegitimacy of the new parliament to the world. She also urged the West to “support the people of Georgia and not recognize the illegitimate election results.” Read more here

● These elections are of unprecedented importance for Georgia, as the outcome will determine the country’s political and geopolitical future. Voters were choosing between the ruling “Georgian Dream,” seen as pro-Russian, and the pro-Western opposition. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), “Georgian Dream” won 53.056% of the votes. Four opposition parties also entered parliament: “Coalition for Change” (11.17%), “Unity – National Movement” (9.85%), “Strong Georgia” (8.99%), and Giorgi Gakharia’s “For Georgia” (8.22%). However, these official figures differ significantly from exit polls, which predicted 40-42% for “Georgian Dream.” All opposition parties announced election fraud, refused to accept mandates, and are preparing for continuous street protests.

● The opposition secured a significant victory in overseas polling stations, winning the majority of votes at all 67 stations abroad, where “Georgian Dream” received only around 15%. Out of 95,910 eligible Georgian voters abroad, many reported long lines and difficulties in casting their votes on election day.

● Three international observation missions issued critical initial assessments. Representatives from the OSCE, IRI, NDI, and the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO) highlighted several issues:

• Deep political polarization
• Unequal financial resources among political forces
• Controversial amendments to election laws
• Media polarization
• Pre-election tension
• Alleged voter coercion and privacy concerns. Read more here

● The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) reported unprecedented vote-buying during the campaign and election day, along with cases of multiple voting.

● The full list of documented violations is available here.

● European Council President Charles Michel acknowledged the OSCE’s preliminary election assessment and urged Georgian authorities to investigate reported violations promptly. He also called for constructive dialogue between political parties and reaffirmed the importance of Georgia’s European course. Further decisions on relations with Georgia will be made during the Council’s November session.

● Germany’s Foreign Ministry: “We fully support the OSCE’s preliminary election assessment and are concerned by reports of tension and irregularities.”

● The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan congratulated Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on “Georgian Dream’s” victory. Both Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan expressed confidence that the election results would foster sustainable bilateral relations. Aliyev invited Kobakhidze to visit Baku.

● Former President Mikheil Saakashvili, currently imprisoned, urged political forces to reject the election results and called on citizens to take to the streets in mass protests.

● Margarita Simonyan, head of the Russian state broadcaster Russia Today, commented on the election outcome with a post on Telegram: “The Georgians have won. Completely!”

● Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is unexpectedly visiting Georgia today, accompanied by several ministers. His visit was not previously announced.

Photo by David Pipia/JAMnews, taken at the “flea market” near the Dry Bridge in central Tbilisi.

● On the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack in the Armenian parliament, people honored the victims at Yerablur. On October 27, 1999, five men opened fire in the National Assembly, killing Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, Speaker Karen Demirchyan, Vice Speakers Yuri Bakhshyan and Ruben Miroyan, along with four others.

● The head of the parliamentary defense committee reminded Armenia’s prosecutor general of the need to solve the 25-year-old case. “A year ago, Anna Vardaretian said this was a matter of honor for her,” said Andranik Kocharyan, adding that a similar event could happen again.

● Over 50% of Armenian voters supported Georgia’s ruling party, “Georgian Dream,” according to the Georgian Central Election Commission.

● Excavations of the ancient Urartian city of Argishtikhinili have resumed in the village of New Armavir (see video). An Armenian-Polish expedition has been working at the site, founded by King Argishti I in 776 BCE, for about three weeks. The area will eventually become a protected state reserve.

● Armenia secured its third gold medal at the U20 European Weightlifting Championship, with Garnik Cholakyan (61 kg) taking gold. Armenia’s current tally stands at four medals — 3 gold and 1 silver.

● “Armenia bears legal responsibility for bringing all war criminals to justice. Four years have passed since the Armenian armed forces bombed the Azerbaijani city of Barda and nearby villages with ‘Smerch’ rockets carrying cluster munitions during the second Karabakh war. As a result, around 30 innocent civilians were killed, and another 100 were seriously injured,” wrote Hikmet Hajiyev, the presidential aide, on his social media page.

● From today until November 1, expired and unfit ammunition will be disposed of at the Seyfeli training ground in western Azerbaijan.

● In Baku, vehicles without appropriate identification will be fined 60 manats (around $35) for parking in spaces designated for drivers with disabilities.

● Azerbaijani director Azer Guliyev’s film *The Red Color of the Second Planet* was awarded the “Silver Centaur” at the 34th International Film Festival *Message to Man* in St. Petersburg. The film, presented in the “Best Short Film” category, focuses on the 44-day war of 2020 and was created as part of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture project “The Great Return.”

● The Azerbaijan Dance Festival took place in Baku, with more than 500 dance pairs from 40 countries participating.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 21-25 October, 2024