Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 20-24 October, 2025

●  An exchange visit by Armenian civil society representatives to Azerbaijan could take place before the end of the year, 1news.az editor-in-chief Kyamala Mamedova told the pro-government outlet Report. Mamedova was part of an Azerbaijani civil society delegation that attended the first such meeting in Yerevan on October 21–22 — the first in over 30 years of conflict between the two countries. “The civil society dialogue is expected to continue in the long term. Our visit to Yerevan was positive and constructive, with no provocations. The organization, including security, was at a high level. Meetings with the Armenian side and its delegation, including Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, were constructive,” Mamedova said.

Here is a comment from Armenia regarding the civil society meeting in Yerevan — the first such event in more than 30 years of conflict between the two countries.

●  “The organization of such a visit to Armenia is a historic event and the result of a purely bilateral initiative,” said another participant, Rusif Huseynov, head of the Topchubashov Center. He noted the importance of the meeting with Armenia’s Security Council Secretary and said the main goal of such contacts is “to ensure the continuity and stability of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

●  Director of the South Caucasus Research Center Farhad Mammadov, who also took part in the trip to Yerevan, emphasized the uniqueness of the meeting. “We had previously met Armenian experts at international platforms, but for the first time in decades an Azerbaijan Airlines plane landed in Yerevan, and the discussions were held entirely in a bilateral format, without third parties. After the Washington meeting on August 8, an atmosphere emerged that allows for practical cooperation between the two governments. Now discussions among experts, civil society, and the media are especially relevant. There is hope that such bilateral formats will become regular and turn into a normal practice,” Mammadov said.

●  Bashir Suleymanli, head of the Institute for Civil Rights, who is under arrest, has been charged with embezzling over 148,000 manats (about $50,000) from grants provided by the German Marshall Fund of the United States and other donors for social projects. Prosecutors said Suleymanli allegedly misused funds together with Mehriban Rahimli, an adviser to the fund, who is also under arrest. Both failed to inform the relevant ministries about the grants, prosecutors said at the hearing. Suleymanli pleaded not guilty and said the case was political and fabricated. The case against Rahimli has been separated for further investigation. The next court hearing is scheduled for November 20.

●  An Azerbaijan–Poland business forum was held in Warsaw, bringing together more than 130 entrepreneurs from both countries.

●  Azerbaijan’s representative to the United Nations, Tofiq Musayev, called on the international community to show solidarity in combating the landmine threat and to provide more financial and technical support to affected countries. “More than 13% of the country’s territory is under mine threat, and the number of victims continues to grow. Azerbaijan has designated humanitarian demining as its 18th Sustainable Development Goal,” Musayev said at an event on humanitarian disarmament and mine action during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

●  Six Azerbaijani citizens — two women and four children — have been repatriated from Syria. They are being housed in a social facility, undergoing medical and psychological evaluation, and will receive further support and adaptation assistance.

●  The trial of former leaders of the former self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continued. They are charged with war crimes, terrorism, attempted overthrow of the government, and other serious offenses. State news agency AZERTAC reported that victims testified about mass abductions, torture, and killings of Azerbaijani civilians by Armenian forces before, during, and after the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s. The next hearing is set for October 24.

●  Armenian media and social networks are discussing that Dilara Efendiyeva, who took part in the Armenia-Azerbaijan civil society roundtable in Yerevan on October 22, was among the “eco-activists” who blocked the Lachin Corridor in 2022 — the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. According to the outlet FIP, Efendiyeva had claimed on camera that protesters would allow ambulances from Karabakh to pass, which “was a lie.”

●  Armenian lawyer Ara Zohrabyan has filed two criminal complaints involving acts against church figures. The first concerns the illegal wiretapping and leak of a phone call between Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan and former Catholicos aide Aghan Yerndzhakyan, who accused the Catholicos of forcing clergy to join anti-government rallies. The second complaint involves Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and defrocked priest Stepan Asatryan, who allegedly tried to interfere in church rituals by planning a service at Hovhanavank Monastery in violation of church rules, with Pashinyan reportedly intending to attend.

●  Asked whether phone conversations are being monitored in Armenia, Pashinyan said during an anti-corruption committee hearing that “the law on operational intelligence is nothing new — it clearly defines procedures, as in all democratic countries. Fighting crime and corruption is crucial for us.” He added that the government is investing in improving the technical capacity of Armenia’s law enforcement agencies, as “criminals are also using advanced technologies.”

●  Three Gyumri City Hall officials were arrested, accused of pressuring residents to join protests in support of Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, who was detained on corruption charges. The Investigative Committee said they ordered kindergarten directors to take part in the rally, forcing them to send children home and join the protest with their staff. Armtimes identified the detainees as senior education department specialists Anahit Gasparyan, Bella Avakyan, and Varduhi Piloyan.

●  Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow is “closely following the situation in Gyumri.” She noted that “Russia’s 102nd military base, consulate, and Rossotrudnichestvo branch are located there,” and local authorities actively cooperate with Russian regions. Zakharova added that “Moscow values Russian-Armenian ties and will always support those who stand for close relations between the two nations.” The arrested mayor had previously advocated Armenia’s accession to the Russia-Belarus Union State.

●  Armenia and India signed a defense cooperation plan for 2026 following consultations in Yerevan. The program includes military-technical cooperation, joint training, experience exchange, and reciprocal visits of defense officials and experts.

●  David Hambardzumyan, head of the Masis community and a member of the Republican Party (considered pro-Russian), was sentenced to six years and three months in prison. The party, which had proposed him as a potential prime minister in case of Pashinyan’s impeachment, called the verdict another act of repression against the opposition.

●  Leningradyan Street in Yerevan will be renamed after U.S. philanthropist of Armenian descent Kirk Kerkorian. City authorities said the old name “symbolized the Soviet past.”

●  January 27 will be designated as a Memorial Day for fallen soldiers in Armenia, according to a government-approved bill. Officials said the remembrance should not coincide with Army Day on January 28, which is a public holiday.

●  Armenia’s foreign minister met with the speaker of the French Senate to discuss the situation in the South Caucasus and the development of strategic partnership between the two countries.

●  Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi was again blocked on the 330th day of the pro-European protest. Police initially tried to prevent demonstrators from blocking the road but left the area after it was eventually closed off.

●  Reuters reported that a political donor with business interests in Georgia has recently lobbied U.S. lawmakers not to support the “Megobari Act,” which would pressure the country’s ruling anti-Western party. The donor, Steve Nicandros, co-founder of Frontera Resources, was identified as the person lobbying members of Congress. His actions reportedly angered senior Republican lawmakers and sparked debate on Capitol Hill over how to handle “Georgian Dream,” described as “an important trade partner of Russia.”

●  The Georgian Dream government decided to dissolve the International Education Center. A decree dated October 21 orders the creation of a liquidation commission to complete the process by year-end. The Education Ministry will become the center’s legal successor.

●  Prosecutors said seven people were charged with obstructing journalists during the October 4 “peaceful revolution” protest. They allegedly sprayed pepper spray and threatened crews from pro-government TV channels Imedi, Rustavi 2, and the Public Broadcaster.

●  Ruling party parliamentary leader Shalva Papuashvili sharply criticized the EU for awarding the Sakharov Prize to journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who was sentenced to two years in prison for slapping a police officer who insulted her during a protest. “Amaghlobeli is a fallen, humiliated hostage of the protest, forced to fit a false image of a hero. This prize once again shows that our sovereignty and democracy are being ignored,” he said.

●  Prominent doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, detained during the October 22 Rustaveli Avenue protest, was sentenced to seven days of administrative arrest for blocking the road and disobeying police orders.

●  “The goal of Georgian Dream is to restrict free speech, intimidate citizens, and criminalize protests. Arrests are selective, and well-known figures are deliberately detained to scare others,” several NGOs said in a joint statement.

Photo by Tako Tolordava, Rustaveli Avenue protest

●  A bilateral roundtable between representatives of Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society was held in Yerevan. It was reported that such a meeting took place for the first time, with the support of official structures from both countries. The goal was defined as “promoting a peace agenda in the spirit of the joint peace declaration adopted on August 8, 2025, in Washington.” Discussions focused on the prospects for the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, economic opportunities amid normalization, and confidence-building measures. Special attention was given to developing joint plans to strengthen mutual understanding and ensure lasting peace.

●  Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan met with participants of the roundtable. He praised such meetings as part of the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, stressing that these formats help build positive people-to-people contacts. He added that broader societal engagement will strengthen peace.

●  “The opposition doesn’t know Armenia. It only feels comfortable when the country is in crisis,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in parliament. According to him, criticism of his actions stems from the opposition serving the interests of foreign powers. “They simply can’t coexist with a country that isn’t collapsing. It’s a survival instinct — for them to exist, Armenia must be in ruin,” he said.

●  Pashinyan also announced plans to return under state control churches that are state-owned but currently managed by the Armenian Apostolic Church. “Hovhannavank, like many other monuments, is on the government’s balance sheet but given for free use to the Church. Yet there is no spiritual life there — only intrigues and falsehoods. There are both legal and moral grounds to return these monuments to society,” he said.

●  Pashinyan again accused Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II of breaking his vow of celibacy, claiming he is “defrocked.” “As a believer of the Armenian Apostolic Church, I declare from this podium: Ktrich Nersisyan (the Catholicos’s secular name) has long been stripped of his rank and is not part of the clergy. He seized the patriarchal throne along with others like him,” Pashinyan stated.

●  Former President Serzh Sargsyan responded: “A campaign against the Church can only be led by someone mentally disturbed, utterly evil, or acting on an enemy’s orders. Members of this regime have nothing sacred — no morality or dignity. As for His Holiness, I am sure he will remain steadfast and fulfill his national and spiritual duties under any circumstances. History shows that persecution only strengthens the Church.”

●  The initiative to shorten the term of compulsory military service is not new, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said in parliament. “Those accusing us of rushing or acting for electoral reasons should read the government’s program — we committed to reducing conscription within five years by increasing the number of contract soldiers. The same pledge is in the Army Transformation Concept. This shows how long-term the planning is. About two and a half years ago, the National Assembly passed a law allowing draftees to sign contracts after six months of service. Thousands have already done so. Saying we’re downsizing the army is, to put it mildly, nonsense,” the minister said.

●  A criminal investigation has been launched against 19 participants in the mass unrest in Gyumri during the arrest of the city’s mayor, who was accused of corruption. A total of 37 people were detained. Read more here

●  The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Magdalena Grono, welcomed Azerbaijan’s decision to lift all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia. She also noted the importance of the October 21 meeting in Geneva between the speakers of the Azerbaijani and Armenian parliaments, as well as the discussions held in Yerevan with the participation of civil society institutions from both countries. Grono also praised preparations for a meeting between Armenia and Turkey on the restoration and reopening of the Gyumri–Kars railway. “The EU sincerely welcomes these practical achievements and stands ready to support such initiatives, as well as other measures aimed at building trust,” she wrote on X.

Read more Azerbaijan’s decision to lift all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia here 

●  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, speaking at the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for lifting transit restrictions on goods to Armenia, calling it “an important and positive step.” “We must pay attention to historic changes. Just a year ago, we couldn’t have imagined this — the Armenian prime minister thanking the president of Azerbaijan. And today, it’s happening, and it’s a very important step forward,” Pashinyan said.

●  Azerbaijani civil society representatives arrived in Yerevan to participate in a bilateral roundtable — the first of its kind — supported by official structures of both countries. The goal was to “promote a peace agenda in the spirit of the joint peace declaration adopted on August 8, 2025, in Washington.” From Armenia, participants included Areg Kochinyan, Boris Navasardyan, Naira Sultanyan, Narek Minasyan, and Samvel Meliksetyan. From Azerbaijan — Farhad Mammadov, Rusif Huseynov, Ramil Iskanderli, Kamala Mammadova, and Dilyara Efendiyeva. Discussions focused on prospects for the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, economic opportunities under normalization, and confidence-building measures. Special attention was given to joint group plans to strengthen mutual understanding and sustainable peace. Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan met with the participants.

Here is a comment regarding this unique meeting

●  Political experts from Azerbaijan and Armenia also held talks in Istanbul. Participants included staff from Azerbaijan’s Center for Analysis of International Relations, led by Farid Shafiyev, and a group of Armenian analysts headed by Alexander Iskandaryan, director of the Institute of Caucasus Studies.

●  Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan positively assessed his meeting in Geneva with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis. “The meeting was very positive and warm; we reached a shared understanding of the need for our societies to draw closer, live in peace, and take steps toward one another,” Simonyan told Armenian journalists. He did not rule out the possibility of mutual high-level visits, though he said this would depend on certain conditions.

●  The current OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, held an online meeting with Azerbaijani civil society representatives, describing it as “inspiring” in her post on X. “Their work is of utmost importance. NGOs, human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society actors form the backbone of democratic resilience,” Valtonen wrote.

●  Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna concluded his visit to Azerbaijan with a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev. “Estonia supports Azerbaijan’s ties with the European Union and NATO, and we are pleased with the positive momentum in these relations,” Tsahkna said. Aliyev recalled with satisfaction his meetings with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tirana and Copenhagen, noting that new opportunities for cooperation have opened up in energy, transport, and other areas.

●  At a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Tsahkna said: “Azerbaijan is an important country for both Estonia and the region […] Bilateral cooperation could also expand in digitalization and green technologies. Latvia and Finland could also benefit from such projects.” He added that Estonia would soon open an embassy in Azerbaijan.

●  At the same press conference, Jeyhun Bayramov stated: “Since the formation of the new European Commission in early 2025, there has been a revival in relations between Azerbaijan and the EU. Energy plays an important role. Since late 2020, Azerbaijan has been supplying gas to the European market. We now export gas to 14 countries, including 12 in Europe and eight EU member states. At the same time, we are doing serious work in the field of green energy.”

●  Jeyhun Bayramov: “Azerbaijan is already seeing positive results from the agreements reached at the Washington Summit on August 8. One of them is the start of the process to dissolve the Minsk Group. We know that negotiations continue between the U.S. and Armenia on implementing the TRIPP transit project. Among the positive results is Azerbaijan’s decision to allow cargo transit to Armenia through its territory — specifically, the transport of grain from Kazakhstan. The second line of the Middle Corridor could turn Armenia into a transit country. Implementing this initiative will bring economic benefits to all regional countries.”

●  In Tbilisi, Azerbaijani and Georgian Prime Ministers Ali Asadov and Irakli Kobakhidze held a one-on-one meeting. Earlier that day, speaking at the Silk Road Forum, Asadov said: “The friendship between Azerbaijan and Georgia is an important factor for regional stability and development. The transport and transit sector has traditionally been central to our agenda. This area holds great potential for expanding trade, investment, and creating new economic opportunities.”

●  Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev, who heads the state commission investigating last December’s crash of an Azerbaijani AZAL passenger plane near Aktau, said the report might be released after New Year. The crash killed 38 people, with 29 survivors. Preliminary findings suggest the aircraft was damaged by Russian air defenses while flying over Grozny.

●  Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Finance reported that 6.6 million manats (about $3 million) were spent between January and September this year on building cable cars in Karabakh — between Shusha, Khankendi, and Lachin. The Khankendi–Shusha line will be about six kilometers long, with a travel time of around 13 minutes. The project aims to promote tourism and improve transport links in the region.

●  Azerbaijan is holding joint special-forces exercises with the UAE under the name “Indestructible Partnership 2025.” Participants are practicing coordination and command skills in conditions close to real combat, according to the press release.

●  UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Paula Gaviria Betancur, praised Azerbaijan’s progress in protecting IDP rights during her report at the 80th UN General Assembly session. “The projects implemented under Azerbaijan’s ‘Great Return’ program and the creation of conditions for humanitarian demining deserve recognition and could serve as a model for other countries,” she said.

●  According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Finance, 2.9 billion manats (about $1 billion) have been spent over the past nine months on reconstruction and restoration of territories liberated from Armenian occupation.

●  In the Vatican, a triptych created by Azerbaijani carpet weavers as part of the Heavenly Religions project — dedicated to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — has been put on display (pictured below). Each carpet represents a separate faith and culture, together symbolizing universal values of peace, compassion, and justice, according to the press release. The artwork was delivered during a meeting between First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva and Pope Leo XIV.

●  Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) and Ukraine’s State Emergency Service signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in demining during the UMAC-2025 conference in Tokyo.

●  The Qarabag football club suffered its first defeat in the UEFA Champions League group stage, losing 1–3 away to Spain’s Athletic Bilbao. In the fourth round, on November 5, Qarabag will host England’s Chelsea in Baku.

●  A historic achievement for Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestlers — two gold medals (Ziya Babashov, 63 kg, and Elmir Aliyev, 55 kg) and one bronze (Ruslan Nurullayev, 72 kg) at the U-23 World Championships in Serbia.

●  The Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, sentenced to two years in prison for slapping a police officer, has been awarded the EU’s highest human rights honor — the Sakharov Prize. Mzia is the founder of the popular outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. The award was also given to Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who is currently imprisoned. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said at the plenary session in Strasbourg: “Both journalists have paid a high price for speaking truth to power. They have become symbols of the struggle for freedom and democracy. The European Parliament stands with them and with all those who continue to demand freedom.” Read more here

●  Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said: “Awarding the Sakharov Prize to Andrzej and the fearless Mzia sends a powerful message to all political prisoners — you are not alone, and journalism is not a crime. As German MP Manuela Rottmann once said: ‘Today’s heroes aren’t in movies. The heroes are in prisons.’ Andrzej and Mzia are among them. Congratulations. This is a truly great victory.”

●  The Interior Ministry reported that on Wednesday evening, police detained more than 20 participants of ongoing pro-European protests in front of parliament in Tbilisi. Among those detained was Lika Basilaia-Shavgulidze, a member of the Public Broadcaster’s board of trustees. On Tuesday, 14 people were detained.

●  The Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service reported that former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili admitted during interrogation to receiving illegal income for several years. “He is fully cooperating with the investigation. In the coming days, investigators will decide how to classify his actions and what preventive measure to apply, based on existing and additional evidence, which will also be made public,” said agency head Emzar Gagnidze at a briefing. He did not answer whether Garibashvili had been arrested. Read more here

●  “This in no way means that Irakli Garibashvili admitted to corruption — that’s a completely different definition,” said his lawyer Lili Gelashvili in a phone interview with Pirveli TV. She said this was his first interrogation, and that Garibashvili himself “will explain everything in detail in the coming days.”

●  During the trial of Zurab Kakabadze, former president of Georgia’s Handball Federation, the prosecutor said that Kakabadze placed bets totaling $350,000 at the Adjara and Radisson casinos. “The money belonged to the federation and made up 40–50% of its entire budget at that time. Kakabadze returned only 40,000 lari (around $14,000),” the prosecutor said. According to Interpressnews, prosecutors are recommending his pre-trial detention. The investigation began based on a report by the State Audit Office.

●  According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), on October 15 the Venice Commission appealed to the Strasbourg Court to join as a third party in the case concerning Georgia’s new laws “On Foreign Agents,” “On Grants,” and FARA. The Commission said it had already assessed these laws and found them incompatible with democratic principles, “as the established rules impose excessive obligations and burdensome sanctions.”

●  Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov was again detained in Tbilisi, according to Tamta Mikeladze, a lawyer from the Center for Social Justice. His family had been unable to locate him for several hours. “Afgan Sadigov was detained only administratively. Fears for the worst did not come true. This is one of those rare cases when you’re actually glad someone’s been detained,” Mikeladze wrote on Facebook.

●  Political analyst David Zurabishvili said: “For the first time in independent Georgia’s history, two well-known writers — Zviad Ratiani and Beka Kurkhuli, a famous artist – Levan Margiani, a well-known actor – Andro Chichinadze, and three well-known journalists — Mzia Amaghlobeli, Vakho Sanaia, and Keta Tsitskishvili — are in prison for political reasons. In addition, more than 60 decent and honest people are imprisoned. Some were arrested for wearing a scarf above their chin, others — for a Facebook post. In some cases, neither the police nor judges can explain why they are behind bars, yet they are there. There are also nine political leaders and politicians in prison (Melia, Gvaramia, Japaridze, Khoshtaria, Vashadze, Okruashvili, Targamadze, Chkhartishvili, Khabeishvili), and a tenth (Gakharia) fled the country – otherwise he would be in prison too. Some might say: ‘They broke the law, so what did they expect?’ Yes, breaking the law is undesirable, but not all laws are just. If you were a Jew in Nazi Germany, by law you were already a criminal. The time will come when this story will be passed down as one of the most shameful pages in our country’s history.”

●  Georgia and Slovakia signed an intergovernmental economic cooperation agreement. The document was signed by Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Genadi Arveladze and Slovak Economy Minister Vladimir Simonak. They discussed the importance of launching direct flights between the two countries and holding a session of the Economic Cooperation Commission early next year.

Today in Tbilisi, on Rustaveli Avenue, police are detaining numerous participants of a pro European protest. Among those detained is famous doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili. One protester climbed onto a police car. These are the first mass arrests outside parliament since new laws… pic.twitter.com/hxsDyFQYXZ

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) October 22, 2025

●  The European Union aims to establish sustainable and efficient transport, energy and digital links with the countries of the South Caucasus, the Black Sea region and Central Asia through Turkey and is ready for strategic investments. The extended meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers and representatives of the South Caucasus and Central Asian countries, which opened on October 21 in Luxembourg, became the first step in implementing this strategy. Ministers from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the discussions. From the EU side, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Commissioner for International Partnerships Josef Sikela took part.

At the first session participants focused on security issues. The EU expressed readiness to strengthen support for member and partner states in building maritime capacity, protecting critical infrastructure and countering hybrid threats. The second session focused on interregional connectivity, including transport, energy and digital development.

Four priority areas were identified:

• strengthening the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor),
• developing high-speed internet to foster innovation and protect critical infrastructure,
• improving energy connections and accelerating the introduction of renewable energy sources,
• harmonizing and digitalizing customs procedures to simplify cross-border trade.

●  Eleven memorandums of understanding were signed at the “Central Baltic – Azerbaijan” business forum held in Baku with participation from Azerbaijan, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. Among them were MoUs between Finland’s EnergiaVFX and Azerbaijan’s RogVFX, and between Estonia’s Fleetguru and Azerbaijan’s Axiom.

●  “The European economy needs new trade partners, and Azerbaijan is a logical choice,” said the new head of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Katrina Zarina during the forum. “We need to look for new partners in countries close to us in their business approach and traditions. It is also important to take into account geopolitical changes that affect trade routes between the Nordic countries, Europe and Asia, and the role Azerbaijan plays in this process,” she said. Zarina noted that Latvia offers cooperation with Azerbaijan in digital technologies and green solutions.

●  Finland is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, said Finland’s ambassador Kirsti Narinen during the forum.

●  On October 21–22 a bilateral round table will be held in Yerevan with representatives of civil society from Azerbaijan and Armenia. The main topics will include the bilateral agenda formed following the August 8 meeting of the two leaders in Washington, measures to strengthen mutual trust between the two societies, possible ways to develop stable economic cooperation in the South Caucasus, and prospects for establishing direct and long-term contacts between civil society representatives of the two countries.

●   Speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan (pictured below), expressed readiness to continue constructive dialogue and support confidence-building measures at the legislative level. This was stated in a report by the Armenian National Assembly following their meeting in Geneva, where both welcomed the agreements reached at the Washington summit and the steps taken towards normalization of relations.

●   “Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia that have existed since the occupation,” said President Ilham Aliyev at a press conference in Astana with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. “The first such transit cargo is Kazakh grain to Armenia. I think this is also a good indicator that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia exists not only on paper but also in practice,” Aliyev said.

●  “Peace has been established,” wrote Armenia’s Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan on social media, describing the route by which Kazakh grain will be delivered to Armenia through Azerbaijan. “In the near future, the first batch of Kazakh grain will arrive in Armenia by rail along the Aktau–Baku route and then via the Azerbaijan–Georgia railway,” Papoyan wrote.

●  “The TRIPP transit project will definitely be implemented,” President Ilham Aliyev said at the joint press conference in Astana. The route will connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia and further to Turkey. “This is one of the outcomes of the Washington summit in August. President Trump gave his name to this project, calling it The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. Thus, another route of the Middle Corridor is opening up – through Zangezur, with an annual cargo capacity of 15 million tons built to the most modern standards,” Aliyev said.

●   Parallel to Aliyev’s visit, a Kazakhstan–Azerbaijan business forum was held in Astana, resulting in the signing of sixteen cooperation documents. It was reported that since the beginning of this year, bilateral trade turnover reached 343 million dollars, with Kazakhstan’s exports amounting to 290 million. Kazakhstan exports wheat, oil, food and petroleum products to Azerbaijan, while imports from Azerbaijan include metal structures, aluminum, polymers, alcohol and fruits.

●  Kazakhstan intends to significantly increase oil transit through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the final press conference. Experts earlier noted that last year transit via this pipeline was almost 1.5 million tons, and in the near term it is expected to reach 7 million tons annually.

●  During the forum, it was announced that Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are preparing to establish a new Trans-Caspian ferry system for cargo exports. Kazakhstan is building a container hub in Aktau, and a new cargo terminal will soon begin construction in the port of Alat in Baku with the participation of foreign, including Chinese, partners.

●  Concluding his visit to Kazakhstan, President Ilham Aliyev invited President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to pay a state visit to Azerbaijan in 2026. “Next year, Azerbaijan will host two major international events — the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Summit and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia Summit. I am confident the President of Kazakhstan will be among our honored guests,” Aliyev said.

●  Prime Minister Ali Asadov arrived late last night in Georgia for an official visit. Meetings are planned, including his participation in the opening ceremony of the Silk Road Forum. Earlier that day, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Tbilisi, where he met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Irakli Chikovani.

●  Armenia and Turkey will soon discuss the issue of restoring the Gyumri–Kars railway, said Armenian Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan, according to Armenian media.

●  Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna arrived in Baku on an official visit.

●  The court hearings continue in the criminal case of Ruben Vardanyan, a citizen of Armenia and former state minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, who remains in pre-trial detention. He is accused of torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism and other offenses. According to the state agency AzerTag, Vardanyan said he was dissatisfied with the trial and dismissed his lawyer Avraham Berman, agreeing to a state-appointed attorney. The court granted the request and postponed the next session until October 28.

●  Since the beginning of the year, Azerbaijan has reduced imports of cars from Georgia by 38% compared with the same period in 2024. Azerbaijan now ranks third among the countries to which Georgia exports cars, with imports totaling 170.5 million dollars. The data also show that Georgia increased total car exports by 5% in quantity and 14% in value. The leading importers are Kyrgyzstan (1 billion dollars), Kazakhstan (567 million), Tajikistan (88.8 million) and Uzbekistan (51.5 million).

In August, Georgia banned the re-export of cars to Russia and Belarus in line with the EU’s 11th sanctions package. Investigative journalists in Georgia note that this has only added another link to the chain, as vehicles are now shipped to Central Asian countries and then re-exported to Russia. Read more here

●  In response to numerous requests, the Caucasus Muslim Board has opened document submission for those wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia in May next year. The package costs 6,100 dollars per person. Required documents include a health certificate confirming fitness to perform the pilgrimage rituals. The number of places is limited.

●  Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestler Ziya Babashov won a gold medal at the U-23 World Championship held in Novi Sad, Serbia, defeating Moldovan Vitalie Eremenco 6:3 in the final match.

●  Over the past two days, 14 people have been arrested in Tbilisi for blocking roads and covering their faces in violation of the law, said Tbilisi Police Chief Vazha Siradze. One detainee was transferred to a mental health and addiction center for compulsory treatment. Siradze refused to disclose the person’s initials to protect his privacy.

● Despite arrests, the pro-European protest continues. Yesterday marked the 328th day of protests, with thousands again gathering near parliament and blocking Rustaveli Avenue (video below). The main demands are to return the country to the path of European integration, hold new fair parliamentary elections, and release over 100 detained and convicted protesters.

● The Charter of Journalistic Ethics reported a series of arrests of journalists from the opposition TV channel Formula, suggesting that the ruling Georgian Dream party may be trying to disrupt the channel’s work.

● The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) announced that ADF International has filed a motion to join its case in the Strasbourg Court as a third party. ADF stated that civil society organizations, NGOs, and independent media are essential for democracy, and that freedom of association loses meaning if media and NGOs are denied access to funding, including international sources.

● PM Irakli Kobakhidze refused to give details about weekend searches at the homes of former PM Irakli Garibashvili and former security chief Grigol Liluashvili, saying he knows the details but has no right to disclose them. About searches read more here

● “The German government made the right and pragmatic decision by recalling its ambassador from Tbilisi,” said Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. “When the new ambassador arrives, the Georgian government will be fully open to cooperation with him. We are confident that everything Ambassador Peter Fischer tried to destroy will be restored very soon. The presence of this person in our country was absolutely counterproductive for Germany,” Kobakhidze told reporters. The German Foreign Ministry said that Peter Fischer returned to Berlin because of a “hate campaign launched by the Georgian authorities against the EU and against him personally.” Read more here

● Kobakhidze met with Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan, who was in Georgia for the Silk Road Forum. They discussed good-neighborly relations, trade and economic cooperation, and Armenia’s role as one of Georgia’s major trading partners.

● The Revenue Service commented on reports of Russian oil arriving at the Georgian Black Sea port of Kulevi, stressing that international sanctions do not apply to this vessel or the companies involved. Reuters earlier reported that Russian oil company Rusneft delivered the first batch of oil for processing at the new Kulevi refinery. Rusneft did not comment. Reuters noted Russia is trying to diversify oil exports and avoid Western sanctions. Read more here

● Hindustan Silicon Private Limited will invest about $50 million in oil extraction in western Georgia over the next four years, the Ministry of Economy said. The company will pay $4.15 million upfront and drill seven production and two exploration wells using modern technology. Deputy Minister Inga Phaladze said the project will enhance Georgia’s energy resources, attract investment, and strengthen energy security.

● A new Georgian Dream bill proposes new positions in municipal councils, adding a fourth deputy chairperson in self-governing cities and five new positions in total per council.

● Education Minister Givi Mikanadze announced that foreign students will no longer study in Georgian state universities. This segment will be transferred entirely to private universities interested in offering such programs.

● The Finance Ministry’s investigative service arrested two Georgian citizens accused of large-scale illegal use of registered trademarks. The suspects allegedly produced sweets and coffee in Tbilisi under counterfeit Raffaello and Jacobs Monarch packaging.

● Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions and opened transit to Armenia, President Ilham Aliyev announced. The first transit cargo is Kazakh grain. Armenian Prime Minister’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan called Baku’s move “an important step in building trust and institutionalizing peace between the two countries.” She said the decision was made as part of broader efforts to unblock regional communications.

The shipment of Kazakh wheat will reach Armenia by rail through Azerbaijan and Georgia. According to Armenia’s economy minister, the grain will first be delivered to Baku from the port of Aktau.

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze held a one-on-one meeting, discussing the agenda of strategic partnership between Armenia and Georgia. Both sides emphasized the active political dialogue between the two friendly nations and expressed confidence it will continue effectively. After the meeting, Kobakhidze wrote on X that the discussion “will help strengthen cooperation between Georgia and Armenia.”

● A bilateral roundtable with representatives of Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society will be held in Yerevan on October 21–22. According to Armenia’s Armenpress, citing the Center for Security Policy Studies, the discussions will include the agenda formed after the August 8 meeting in Washington, measures to strengthen mutual trust, possible ways to develop stable economic cooperation in the South Caucasus, and prospects for establishing direct and long-term contacts between the two societies.

● A journalist from Hetq.am revealed that due to a mistake by Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan, he accidentally joined a closed Facebook group of the ruling Civil Contract party. Journalists reviewed posts from the group of more than 850 members, including Prime Minister Pashinyan, ministers, MPs, and other party figures. Discussions covered party activities, membership fees, job openings in the state sector, and campaign materials.

The journalist also noted internal messages related to the 2023 Yerevan City Council elections. In one post, Prime Minister Pashinyan urged members to ensure a strong turnout at a party rally while avoiding misuse of administrative resources. However, some regional officials commented that they planned to bring dozens of people from various communities, including Gavar, Noyemberyan, and Kotayk.

● A Georgian delegation led by Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani, who arrived in Armenia on an official visit, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. The delegation was accompanied by Armenia’s Deputy Defense Minister Arman Sargsyan.

● Armenia will be represented at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 by 12-year-old Albert Armenakyan. The country’s representative was selected through a national competition organized by Public Television, which received more than 80 submissions. The contest will take place in Tbilisi on December 13.

●  On October 20, the Tbilisi City Court held hearings for several people detained on charges of “covering their faces” and “blocking roads.” The following sentences were issued:

• Teimuraz Saralidze — 6 days for “covering his face.”
• Nino Beruashvili — 4 days for “blocking a road.”
• Saba Japaridze — 6 days for “covering his face.”
• Keta Tsitskishvili (pictured) — 5 days for “blocking a road.”
• Tamar Totladze — 6 days for “blocking a road.”
• Archil Gogorishvili — 8 days for “blocking a road.”

On October 19, 14 people were detained for “blocking roads” and “covering faces,” including Formula TV journalist and anchor Vakho Sanaia.

●  EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said new rules allowing the European Union to suspend visa-free travel for certain groups will come into effect in November. Speaking at a press conference in Luxembourg following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting with South Caucasus and Central Asian countries, Kallas said: “Ministers made clear their position on the continued deterioration of the rule of law and human rights in Georgia. Personal attacks by authorities against European ambassadors are unacceptable and have no place in diplomacy. The European Commission will present a report on the visa suspension mechanism by the end of this year.” Read more here 

●  Georgian Dream MP and head of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee Maka Bochorishvili said the fine issued to the current OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, for “blocking a road in Tbilisi” was “fair.”
“Everyone is equal before the law. Our law enforcement agencies have every right to fine anyone who violates the law. Whether that person pays or not, or enjoys diplomatic immunity or not, is another question. But no international treaty prohibits a state from enforcing its laws,” Bochorishvili said.

●   During a visit to Israel, Georgian Dream Interior Minister Geka Geladze and Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir signed a memorandum of cooperation. The agreement “will help expand police cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including the exchange of experience and closer partnerships between migration agencies and police academies,” according to an official statement.

●   “Former Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze (2021–22) was involved in corruption schemes and laundered about 8.4 million lari (around $5 million),” prosecutor Irakli Marshania said during his trial. Mikautadze was arrested in June this year and faces up to 12 years in prison. Georgian media and investigative journalists have repeatedly reported on his alleged corruption, including the purchase of an apartment in Madrid by his family for about €600,000. Transparency International report on assets owned by members of Georgian Dream in Europe here

●  The opposition party Gakharia – For Georgia has decided to return to parliament. Other opposition groups continue to boycott, claiming last October’s elections were rigged by the ruling Georgian Dream party and demanding new parliamentary elections.
“The boycott of parliament has turned into a boycott of the entire political process, allowing Georgian Dream to act quickly and strengthen authoritarianism without resistance. Not using the platform of parliament or city councils during such a difficult period is not only a mistake but a crime against the country and the people,” party representative Giorgi Sharashidze said at a briefing.

According to the Central Election Commission, in the October 26, 2024 parliamentary elections, Gakharia – For Georgia won 12 seats. In the October 4, 2025 local elections, the party received 3.67% of votes and secured 26 mandates in city councils across the country. It failed to win any seats in Tbilisi. Party leader and former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has been abroad for several months, with local media reporting he fears prosecution if he returns.

●  Georgian Dream Speaker Shalva Papuashvili commented skeptically on Gakharia – For Georgia’s decision to return to parliament:
“The Georgian parliament will neither gain nor lose from this. But it will be interesting, because we’ll be hearing messages coming directly from abroad. Everything you hear from these 12 MPs will be dictated by external forces against Georgia,” Papuashvili said.

●   The Ministry of Justice has supported a proposal from the Public Defender to change the rules for recording bodily injuries of prisoners. Under the amendment, a doctor will be allowed to examine a prisoner and report possible cases of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment to the relevant authority — even without the prisoner’s consent.

●  A court is considering pre-trial measures for Vardan Ghukasyan, mayor of Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri, who was arrested yesterday and taken from city hall. Ghukasyan and seven others are accused of corruption. Investigators allege the mayor and the city’s chief architect agreed not to demolish an illegal structure of about 1,500 square meters in exchange for a $10,000 bribe. Ghukasyan had earlier said he supports Armenia joining the Union State of Russia and Belarus. More here

●  At least 33 people have been detained following a protest outside Gyumri City Hall. Supporters of the arrested mayor clashed with police. A criminal case has been launched over mass unrest and obstruction of justice.

●  Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan called Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan a “corrupt scoundrel.” “At this point, the corrupt scoundrel is being defended by [former Ombudsman] Tatoyan, ARF-Dashnaktsutyun, Andranik Tevanyan, and Ktrich Nersisyan — opposition figures and church representatives, all with pro-Russian reputations. They’re ringing church bells in Gyumri to defend a thief. This is not a joke. Let’s see which hypocrites come next,” Rubinyan wrote on Facebook.

●  “What happened in Gyumri is another attack by the current regime against the people’s will,” said the opposition Armenia bloc, associated with ex-president Robert Kocharyan, who is widely seen as pro-Russian. “We support Gyumri residents’ right to defend their choice and urge members of the city council to unite and prevent a power grab by the regime. We call on citizens across Armenia to reject this government. Nikol Pashinyan has declared war on the Armenian people — and he will lose it,” the statement said.

●  Tensions persisted yesterday at three Armenian-Georgian border crossings — Bavra, Bagratashen, and Gogavan — where truck drivers blocked the roads, demanding that authorities resolve migration issues with Russia that currently limit their stay there. Border traffic has since resumed.

●  Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with his counterparts from Luxembourg, Slovenia, Latvia, Turkey, and Denmark, as well as the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, on the sidelines of an extended ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on “Interregional Security and Connectivity.”

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV. The discussion reportedly covered the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Pope welcomed progress and expressed hope that lasting peace in the region would mark a new era of cooperation and stability.

●  Social media users are actively discussing the murder of 23-year-old Chechen woman Aishat Baymuradova in Yerevan. She had fled Chechnya to Armenia with the help of human rights defenders several months ago to escape domestic violence. Preliminary reports suggest she was strangled. The Interior Ministry has not yet confirmed this, but local Telegram channels say she may have been the victim of an “honor killing” — a form of violence against women by male relatives over perceived “improper” behavior. Police said her body was found in a rented apartment on Demirchyan Street in Yerevan. An investigation and forensic examination are underway.

●  Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani has arrived in Armenia for an official visit and is set to meet with his Armenian counterpart, Suren Papikyan, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry.

●  A delegation from Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, led by Deputy Minister Yalchin Rafiyev, took part in a ministerial meeting on interregional security and connectivity held at the initiative of the European Union in Luxembourg. The meeting was organized in an expanded format with representatives from the European Commission, EU member states, as well as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine, and Central Asian countries. The discussion focused on security in the Black Sea region and the development of transport and energy connectivity between Europe and Asia.

In his remarks, Yalchin Rafiyev stressed the importance of the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He also highlighted the need to strengthen economic and investment cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan, a key transit hub linking the Black Sea region with the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

●  EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos: “Progress in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is changing the political and economic landscape of the region. For the first time in decades, there is a real opportunity to unlock trade and transport routes connecting Europe and Asia. Countries from Europe to the borders of China recognize the importance of this moment. Today, all of them gathered here in Luxembourg. This is happening for the first time.” She made the statement in an interview with the pro-government outlet Report.

●  Marta Kos: “The meeting in Luxembourg is only the first step. It will be followed in November by an investment forum with U.S. participation.”

●  President Ilham Aliyev began his visit to Kazakhstan; he was welcomed at the airport by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

●  Khalaf Khalafov, special representative of the president for special assignments, held a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who reported about it on his Telegram channel.

●  Bahrus Samadov, a PhD candidate at Charles University, researcher and peace activist, sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of treason, has been held in solitary confinement for a month and a half. In an interview with Meydan TV, his grandmother Zibeyda Osmanova said that the prison administration extended his stay in solitary confinement without explanation. “Bahrus said they want to kill him. He has already tried to take his own life twice and is thinking about it again,” Osmanova said. Lawyer Zibeyda Sadygova plans to appeal to the ombudsman. More on Bahrus Samadov here

●  AZCON Holding statistics:

• • Freight traffic through Azerbaijan along the Middle Corridor increased by 6% in 2025 overall.
• • Container traffic through the Port of Baku rose by 40%.
• • Cargo transported by the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company by land increased by 70%, and by tankers — by 11%.
• • Shipments beyond the Caspian Sea rose by 191%.
• • In 2024, freight volume along the Trans-Caspian route grew by 62%.

●  Ukraine is ready to purchase about $2 billion worth of gas from various countries, including Azerbaijan, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

●  The trial of former leaders of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) continued. They are accused of war crimes, terrorism, attempts to overthrow the government, and other serious offenses. The state news agency AZERTAC reported the following details:

• Defendants David Ishkhanyan (former “speaker of the NKR parliament”) and David Babayan (former “foreign minister of the NKR”) requested the court to examine two additional materials, which the court agreed to consider.

• Defendant Arkadi Ghukasyan (former “president of the NKR”) expressed disagreement with some of the documents presented during the hearing.

• Victims testified about mass abductions, torture, and killings of Azerbaijani civilians by Armenian forces before, during, and after the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s.

The next court session is scheduled for October 23.

●  The Azerbaijani Center for Analysis of International Relations has published a book titled “The Armenian Diaspora in the Middle East: Historical, Religious, Political, Cultural, Media, Educational, and Social Activities.” The book analyzes the influence of the Armenian diaspora in five countries — Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan — with a particular focus on media activities, including books, magazines, and newspapers produced by Armenian communities and propaganda campaigns targeting Arabic-speaking audiences during the Second Karabakh War in autumn 2020. In addition to Arabic sources, the research also draws on Turkish, English, Russian, Armenian, German, and French materials.

Photo by İltun Huseynli

●  On the 326th day of continuous pro-European protests, participants once again blocked Rustaveli Avenue. Police arrested 14 people for blocking the road in front of parliament and “covering their faces.” Among those detained is Vaho Sanaia, a journalist and TV host from the opposition channel Formula. At a briefing, Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said administrative cases were also opened against 13 more individuals. He added that if similar “illegal” actions are repeated, criminal charges could be brought against all 27.

●  Germany has recalled its ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, for consultations over a “hate campaign launched by the Georgian authorities against the EU and himself.” The EU Foreign Affairs Council is expected to discuss the situation in Georgia. Read more here

●  German Ambassador Peter Fischer: “The Federal Foreign Minister has recalled me for consultations. This is an official diplomatic step to express dissatisfaction with the actions of the Georgian government, which have led to a crisis in German-Georgian relations, and to protest the ongoing disinformation and incitement directed against Germany, the European Union, and myself by the Georgian government and the Georgian Dream party.”

● The State Security Service carried out searches in the homes of former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, former head of the State Security Service Grigol Liluashvili, and former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze, as well as eight individuals linked to them. Read more here

●  Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili: “After months of attacks, Germany has recalled its ambassador, Peter Fischer. This does not mean that Europe is turning away from us. It means they see the Georgian government’s disregard for the will of the people. But the people of Georgia, with courage and hope, are once again choosing Europe.”

●  Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the first stage of his announced education reform will be implemented within the next year. “Our goal is to provide students in Georgia with the same quality of higher education as they receive in other countries,” he said. According to him, the second stage will take 3–4 years, depending on various components. Independent experts criticized the reform, with former director of the National Center for Curriculum and Assessment Simon Janashia saying that “the ruling party’s goal with this reform is to strengthen political control over universities and schools.”

●  Today, the movement “Georgian Education in Danger” plans several protest actions in response to the announced education reform. The program includes a briefing, a student rally, and a public forum where people can voice their opinions about the proposed reforms.

●  On October 20–21, President Ilham Aliyev will visit Kazakhstan at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

●  The speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan, will meet on October 21 during the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Simonyan announced on social media. Their previous meeting took place in April 2025 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

●  Prospects for military cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States were discussed during a visit to Baku by a U.S. delegation led by Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper. At a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, Cooper congratulated him on progress made in advancing the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia with the participation of the U.S. President in Washington.

●  Azerbaijani media report that the arrest of former Minister of National Security Eldar Mahmudov is expected on charges of embezzling €29.6 million from the state budget. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the funds were transferred to his and his close relatives’ accounts in Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and other countries, and were used to purchase movable and immovable property. All these assets were registered under the names of Mahmudov’s wife and children after his appointment as minister, although they had no significant income before that.

A few days ago, former presidential administration chief Ramiz Mehtiyev — previously known as the “gray cardinal” — was arrested in Baku. He is accused of high treason, attempting to seize state power, and large-scale money laundering. More details here

●  In Baku, the head of the Azerbaijani bureau of the Russian state news agency Sputnik, Igor Kartavykh, has been released from custody. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said he has flown to Moscow. Kartavykh was detained in early July amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. The tensions escalated after a Russian air defense system shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane in December, and Russian special forces killed two Azerbaijani nationals and brutally detained several others in Yekaterinburg in June. More details here

●  Georgia and Azerbaijan are working to establish joint border checkpoints under a “single-window” system, Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili said. He also stressed the importance of completing the final sections of the highway along the borders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey to improve regional transport connectivity.

●  Greece more than doubled its imports of Azerbaijani oil in January–September this year. Greece accounted for 2.95% of Azerbaijan’s total oil exports.

●  On the weekend of October 18, Azerbaijan celebrated Independence Restoration Day.

●  Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly Alen Simonyan will meet with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, on October 21 in Geneva. Simonyan announced the meeting on his Telegram channel, saying: “We haven’t met for a long time, and I consider this meeting very important in the current situation. I hope it goes well,” he said in a video message from the airport.

●  Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is heading to Luxembourg today to attend the ministerial meeting “Interregional Security and Connectivity,” organized by the European Union.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took part in the canonization ceremony of Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan and six other blessed figures at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, led by Pope Leo XIV. Pashinyan also attended a reception hosted by His Holiness Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI, Catholicos-Patriarch of the House of Cilicia. Meetings with the Pope and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin are also planned during the visit.

●   “Our hearts grieve as we see Archbishops Mikael, Bagrat, Mkrtich, and Samvel Karapetyan arrested on political grounds and false charges,” said Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II during a church service. “Despite the anti-church and reprehensible actions of the ruling authorities, our Holy Church will remain steadfast, strong, and faithful to its people, continuing its divine mission with devotion, hope, and compassion,” he declared.

●  The civic movement “In Our Way” held a march in Yerevan demanding the release of Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who has been arrested on charges of inciting the overthrow of the government.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 13-17 October, 2025