Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 22-26 September, 2025

●  President Ilham Aliyev, speaking at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, spoke “about Azerbaijan’s long road to victory and peace after the aggression, occupation, and injustice that Azerbaijan had faced.” Key points:

• For nearly thirty years, about 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory was under military occupation by Armenia. As a result of Armenia’s policy of ethnic cleansing and its war crimes, one million Azerbaijanis were expelled from their native lands.
• Four UN Security Council resolutions adopted in 1993 demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories, but they were never implemented. Armenia demonstratively ignored them, since it faced no sanctions from the international community.
• The OSCE Minsk Group, established in 1992 to resolve the conflict, failed to fulfill its mission. Its co-chairs sought to preserve the status quo and freeze the conflict.
• In 2020, after nearly thirty years of fruitless negotiations, Azerbaijan was forced to exercise its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
• Armenia bombed Azerbaijani cities and villages with ballistic missiles and cluster munitions, killing more than 100 civilians. Azerbaijan, however, waged war in full compliance with international humanitarian law, protecting civilians and refraining from striking non-military infrastructure.
• November 10, 2020, went down in history as the day of Armenia’s capitulation and the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity after nearly 30 years of occupation.
• Baku put forward five fundamental principles based on international law and presented a draft peace treaty. On its initiative, negotiations on the text began, lasting from October 2022 until the summer of 2025.
• The negotiations yielded positive results, as they were conducted solely on a bilateral basis without any external interference.
• On August 8 this year, in Washington, at the White House, with the participation of the leaders of the U.S., Azerbaijan, and Armenia, the text of the peace treaty was initialed, a joint declaration signed, and a joint appeal was made to close the OSCE Minsk Group.
• On September 1, the OSCE decided to formally dissolve these structures.
• One important result of the Washington summit is the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), which will ensure unimpeded passage through the Zangezur Corridor and strengthen regional ties.
• The Washington summit also marks a new stage in Azerbaijan–U.S. relations. A memorandum of understanding was signed to establish a working group to draft a Strategic Partnership Charter.
• President Trump’s decision to suspend sanctions against Azerbaijan, introduced in 1992 under Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, is a historic step. Its final repeal by the U.S. Congress will put an end to the legacy of double standards.
• During the occupation, Armenia—governed for nearly 30 years by war criminals—razed hundreds of Azerbaijani towns and villages, and deliberately destroyed 65 mosques. Azerbaijan is restoring them. Under the “Great Return” program, more than 50,000 people are already living, working, and studying in the liberated territories.
• One of the most serious humanitarian problems Azerbaijan faces in the post-conflict period is the danger posed by landmines planted by Armenia during the occupation. Since November 2020, more than 400 Azerbaijani civilians and soldiers have been killed or severely injured by mine explosions.
• The tragic fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis missing since Armenia’s aggression and occupation in the early 1990s also requires special attention and action.
• The “Baku Climate Finance Goal” (NCQG), adopted at COP29, envisions increasing climate financing from developed to developing countries from $100 billion to at least $300 billion annually by 2035.
• Azerbaijan now exports natural gas to 14 countries, ranks first in the world among pipeline gas suppliers, and plays a strategic role in ensuring energy security and diversifying supply routes in Europe and beyond.
• Azerbaijan is attracting major investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. By 2030, about 40% of its energy production will come from renewables.
• Cargo transport along the Middle Corridor has increased by nearly 90% since 2022, with transit times significantly reduced.
• The largest trading fleet on the Caspian, the international Alat port with a planned capacity of 25 million tons per year, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, 9 international airports, the region’s largest cargo airline, and other factors have turned Azerbaijan into an international transport hub.
• Azerbaijan is advancing digital transformation through the “Digital Silk Road” project, which includes building an advanced fiber-optic cable network under the Caspian Sea, allowing the country to become a regional digital hub.
• Poverty and unemployment have dropped to a historic low of 5%.
• Two major international rating agencies (Moody’s and Fitch) have upgraded Azerbaijan’s credit rating, granting it investment-grade status.
• Foreign debt is only 6.5% of GDP, one of the lowest rates in the world. Azerbaijan’s currency reserves are nearly 16 times higher than its foreign debt.
• Azerbaijan is ready to work closely with the UN to address the rapid shallowing of the Caspian Sea.
• Azerbaijan has entered a new era, achieving victory both in war and in building peace. Justice has prevailed, sovereignty has been strengthened, and peace has been established de facto. The country is ready to share this positive experience.

●  The editor-in-chief of the popular outlet AbzasMedia, Sevinj Vagifgizi, along with her colleagues Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, sentenced to nine years, have been transferred to a penitentiary complex in Gurumba settlement, Lankaran. Relatives reported they were treated harshly during the transfer. The move was sudden: “At 9 a.m. they were told to be ready within an hour. They didn’t know where they were being taken until they reached Lankaran.” Families note that the 3–4 hour drive from Baku makes visits difficult. There have been no comments from the penitentiary service or other officials.

Seven journalists arrested in the AbzasMedia case were sentenced on June 20 this year. They were accused of currency smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, laundering criminal assets, tax evasion, and other crimes. They deny the charges, saying they are being punished for professional journalistic work and investigations exposing corruption.

Since November 2023, more than 30 journalists and civil activists have been arrested in Azerbaijan on smuggling charges. They also deny the allegations, claiming they were detained for political reasons related to their work. Many have since faced more serious charges.

According to lists compiled by local human rights organizations, there are currently more than 370 political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

●  U.S. President Donald Trump, at a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House, spoke about his role in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and about Ankara’s major influence on regional affairs. “Erdoğan has incredible influence in the region. I’ve always liked him. He’s a tough man and does great things for his country,” Trump said.

On August 8, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, with U.S. participation, initialed a peace agreement in Washington on establishing peace and inter-state relations. They also signed a joint declaration, one of whose points calls for the launch of the “Trump Route,” which will unblock regional communications with the involvement of American companies.

●  “This year has been very productive for China–Azerbaijan relations. President Ilham Aliyev’s two visits to China this year have had a particularly positive impact on the development of bilateral relations,” Chinese Ambassador Lu Mei said.

●  In the Kremlin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin noted that relations between the two countries are developing well, with trade turnover reaching nearly $11 billion — a record figure.

●  During the meeting with Putin, Pashinyan said Armenia is exploring small modular reactor projects and is in active dialogue with Russia on this issue. “We are cooperating very effectively with Rosatom,” Pashinyan said. A day earlier, speaking at the “World Nuclear Week” forum in Moscow, he said Armenia intends to further strengthen cooperation with the IAEA and partner countries to determine the best solution for replacing the current unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.

●  Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, speaking at the same forum, declared readiness to assist in the construction of nuclear power plants in all partner countries. “If needed, just ask. We are ready to begin,” he told Pashinyan.

●  Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan took part in the Transatlantic official dinner of NATO and EU foreign ministers organized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The minister held bilateral contacts with several colleagues and, during a brief personal conversation, thanked Secretary Rubio for the invitation to such a format.

●  Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a brief conversation with the U.S. Secretary of State during the Transatlantic dinner organized by Marco Rubio in New York.

●  The Armenian government approved the draft state budget for 2026 and outlined its key priorities. Among them: the launch of a comprehensive health insurance system and salary increases for teachers and educators following certification.

●  According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, GDP in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine is expected to grow by 3% this year. In 2026, the bank forecasts growth at the same level — 4.4%.

●  Yerevan will host the 8th Summit of the European Political Community in spring 2026. The draft 2026 budget allocates about 1 billion drams (around $260 million) for organizing the event.

The 6th Summit of the European Political Community took place this spring in Albania, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also attending. The 7th Summit will be held this fall in Denmark.

●  The Foreign Ministry of “Georgian Dream” summoned UK Ambassador Gareth Ward for a meeting. The ambassador left the ministry without comment. On September 24, the Foreign Ministry of “Georgian Dream” also summoned German Ambassador Peter Fischer, whom party representatives publicly accused of “supporting the radical opposition.”

●  Prime Minister of “Georgian Dream” Irakli Kobakhidze said that summoning ambassadors to the Foreign Ministry is a “normal diplomatic measure.” He reiterated that “certain ambassadors are directly involved in political processes,” which he described as a “blatant violation of the principle of democracy and the Vienna Convention” that “requires a response.”

●  The McCain Institute issued a statement regarding the summoning of German Ambassador Peter Fischer to the Foreign Ministry. The statement emphasized that against the backdrop of anti-democratic rhetoric and actions by the Ivanishvili government, Fischer was one of those who openly criticized these steps by the authorities and attended trials of political prisoners.

●  The government administration released a statement regarding the summoning of German Ambassador Peter Fischer. Ivanishvili’s government declared that it is dissatisfied with the current level of relations with Germany and “hopes” for a change in the situation. The administration also claimed that Fischer had asked for an exception concerning grant agreements provided by German organizations to Georgian NGOs. Read more here

●  The European Union issued a statement on the human rights situation in Georgia. The Union expressed concern about the worsening human rights situation and the rollback of democracy in Georgia. “We are concerned about the human rights situation in Georgia and the ongoing backsliding from democracy. On September 1–3, 21 people were charged with ‘organizing’ or ‘participating’ in gang violence, illegal possession of drugs, or intentional bodily harm, and trials are ongoing. While two opposition political leaders were recently pardoned, others have been arrested, and peaceful protesters have faced violence,” the EU said.

●  At a briefing, members of the “Coalition for Change” reported that Georgian representatives were not invited by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the 2025 Transatlantic Dinner. “This is a sign that Bidzina Ivanishvili and Russia have finally distanced Georgia from its main partner — the United States,” they said at the briefing.

●  Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “time has run out, and he will have to answer for what is happening in Ukraine — with his direct participation and involvement.” He said this when asked to comment on Zelensky’s statement regarding Georgia. Zelensky told the UN that “Europe has lost Georgia.” Kaladze addressed the Ukrainian president: “Leave Georgia and the Georgian people alone.”

●  The court sentenced activist Isako Devidze to 20 days of arrest “for disorderly conduct and disobedience to the police.” He was detained near the parliament building on the night of September 24.

●  “Georgian Dream” president Mikheil Kavelashvili delivered a speech at the UN, stating that “Georgia is ready to help the UN become the main guarantor of peace worldwide.” He added: “The pragmatic and rational policy of the government made it possible to preserve peace and economic growth, thereby significantly improving the quality of life of our citizens. Despite numerous challenges, in recent years Georgia has demonstrated impressive resilience to external shocks.” Read more here

●  In Kaspi, near Tbilisi, a man was detained after dousing his wife with gasoline and setting her on fire. According to the Interior Ministry, he also inflicted stab wounds to her chest. The victim is in the hospital.

●  Issues related to ethnic Armenians detained in Azerbaijan were discussed by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, during their meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. In particular, the matter of organizing visits to the detainees was raised, following the closure of the ICRC office in Azerbaijan. More details are available regarding the concerns voiced in Yerevan on this issue.

●  On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, Ararat Mirzoyan also met with France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot. The discussion focused on initiatives to deepen relations between the two countries.

●  A court has found Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, guilty of incitement to overthrow the government. He will remain under arrest. Additional hearings have been scheduled for September 29. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” Ajapakhyan told his supporters after the verdict was announced. Read more here

●  Local media have published video footage of the murder of Volodya Grigoryan, head of the Parakar community, who was regarded as an opposition figure. The footage shows the killer checking Grigoryan’s body to make sure he was dead. The investigative commission reported that several theories are being considered, including a vendetta.

●  Strategic directions for the development of Armenia’s energy sector were discussed at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister. Special attention was given to proposals for the construction of a new nuclear power unit. Various options for potential cooperation with partners and international organizations were presented.

●  The opening of borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey will create many opportunities for Armenia, said Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan. According to him, goods produced in each of the countries complement one another, which will facilitate mutual trade.

●  Parliamentary hearings are scheduled today on a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, initiated by the opposition faction “I Have Honor.” The faction is associated with former President Serzh Sargsyan, who is considered a pro-Russian politician. “The faction has submitted a draft statement of the National Assembly ‘On the national crisis and the failure of governance,’ which is being put forward for debate,” the parliament’s official website stated.

●  Iran’s Minister of Justice Amin Hossein Rahimi is visiting Yerevan at the invitation of Armenia’s Minister of Justice, Srbuhi Galyan. During their meeting, the importance of deepening cooperation was emphasized.

●  Boris Avakyan, a former official of Russia’s state property agency Rosimushchestvo, was found dead at the Armenian Consulate General in St. Petersburg. He had fled the courtroom the day before, ahead of a hearing to determine pre-trial detention in a case involving alleged customs duty evasion of over 4.2 billion rubles (about $450 million). Local media published photos showing him lying dead in a pool of blood on the consulate’s restroom floor. Media reports suggest suicide, but his lawyer expressed doubt, saying: “Avakyan had the spirit of a fighter, he didn’t like to lose, and he was a man of faith.” Before the incident, Avakyan recorded a video message, stating that he had come to the consulate to request extradition to Armenia.

●  “The broader Caspian region, including the South Caucasus and Central Asia, is a long-term priority of U.S. foreign policy. Investing in this region and its development over the years has served our strategic interests,” wrote Caleb Orr, Advisor to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, on X.

●  U.S. President Donald Trump said he is proud of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and called him “a very wonderful person” during a speech at an official reception in New York on the occasion of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

●  In Yekaterinburg, Russia, the pre-trial detention of Shahin Shykhlinski (pictured below), head of the “Azerbaijan-Urals” organization and leader of the local Azerbaijani community, has been extended until the end of the year. He will remain in custody until late December. He is accused of attempting to murder an entrepreneur in 2010. This case is part of a series of arrests of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Russia, during which two men were killed in violent special forces operations. The arrests provoked a sharp reaction in Baku and became one of the reasons for a significant cooling in Azerbaijan–Russia relations. More details are available here.

●  Serbia plans to sign a new gas agreement with Azerbaijan in the near future, as well as a contract for the joint construction of a gas-fired power plant near the Serbian city of Niš. This was announced by Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly Ana Brnabić during a joint briefing in Baku with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis.

●  The EU Delegation in Azerbaijan announced on social media that since 2008, the EU has implemented 29 projects in the country’s education sector.

●  Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler: “Turkey has never recognized Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea; we have firmly held this position since 2014, supporting Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Crimean Tatars have long been an integral part of Ukraine’s diverse society and contribute to peace and stability. Turkey will continue to support President Volodymyr Zelensky’s commitment to the Crimean cause.” Güler made this statement at the Fifth Summit of the International Crimea Platform, held for the first time at the UN Headquarters in New York.

●  The Philippines is holding talks with Azerbaijan on direct flights and mutual easing of visa requirements. This was reported by Philippine Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Henry Bensurto, who resides in Ankara. At a briefing, he announced plans to hold a presentation in Azerbaijan titled “Visit the Philippines at Christmas.”

●  The 3rd CIS Games will be held from September 28 to October 8 in seven Azerbaijani cities: Ganja, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Gabala, Sheki, Goygol, and Khankendi. The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the stadium in Ganja.

●  A conflict is escalating between the ruling Georgian Dream party and German Ambassador Peter Fischer (pictured). On Wednesday, he was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where, according to a press release, he was “informed that under the Vienna Convention, a member of a diplomatic mission must respect the laws and regulations of the host country and must not interfere in its internal affairs.”

●  Ambassador Peter Fischer posted on social media that the Georgian MFA had summoned him without reason and subjected him to attacks, accusing him of supporting the radical opposition. “I thoroughly refuted the unfounded attacks on Germany and myself, and placed responsibility for a new low point in German-Georgian relations on the government and representatives of Georgian Dream. They brought this about through their actions and rhetoric, and they are blocking the road leading to the European Union. I was not listened to. I am not a radical. Germany remains a friend,” wrote Peter Fischer.

●  The German MFA issued a statement emphasizing that Peter Fischer represents the official position of the German government and acts fully in accordance with the Vienna Convention.

●  Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of Parliament from Georgian Dream, accused Peter Fischer: “The role of an ambassador is to be a bridge between governments. Instead of strengthening and expanding this bridge, which many Germans and many Georgians, including myself, have been building for 30 years, he has burned all the bridges with the Georgian government.”

●  The embassies of 27 European countries in Georgia issued a joint statement in response to accusations by Georgian authorities concerning the role and activities of diplomatic missions in the country. The statement noted that such accusations “undermine the ability of diplomatic missions to fulfill their duties.” Read more here

●  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the UN General Assembly, declared that “Europe has already lost Georgia.” “Human rights and the European nature of state governance continue to weaken in Georgia; the country is dependent on Russia […] It is important to remember how the world ignored the need to help Georgia in time, how the chance with Belarus was missed. Now Moldova must not be lost as well.”

●  The leader of Georgian Dream in parliament, Irakli Kirtzkhalia, reacted to Zelensky’s statement with insults, calling it “an offensive remark by a disgraceful puppet from the highest UN platform.” He added: “When he speaks about human rights and refers to Georgia, let him first look at the European Commission’s report and see where his country stands in every respect—whether it’s corruption, media freedom, human rights, or anything else. Then let him look at the Commission’s report on where Georgia stands, and only after that should he speak.”

●  Well-known TV host and founder of a major charitable foundation, Nanuka Zhorzholiani, has been summoned for questioning by the Prosecutor’s Office. “The foundation had many contributors—Georgians living abroad, businessmen, banks, etc. But the Prosecutor’s Office singled out only two—businessman Giorgi Bachiashvili (currently under arrest) and Nika Gilauri. The prosecutors were interested in why they made contributions and how the money was spent. I replied that the reasons for supporting the foundation are best asked of them directly,” Zhorzholiani said.

●  The “Ministry of Culture” of Abkhazia announced the opening of an “Abkhaz Cultural Center” in Seoul, South Korea, along with a presentation held in the building of the local parliament. According to the Apsnypress agency, South Korean MP An Ho-Yeon congratulated the participants on the opening of the center and emphasized “the importance of cultural and economic exchange between South Korea and the Republic of Abkhazia.”

●  Sensational details emerged during the trial over the murder of businessman Levan Jangveladze, who was shot dead in October 2022 in central Tbilisi, near the Tbilisi Tower business center. His driver, Gia Chaduneli, was severely wounded. Detective Robiko Gogiashvili testified that the killing of Jangveladze had been ordered by the grandson of the criminal “thief-in-law” known as Ded Hasan. According to him, the organization of the attack involved former Georgian Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze and the Mikadze brothers, both businessmen. The “contract” was valued at $5 million. Investigators say that the killer, Gele Udzilauri, had been promised he “would not serve a long sentence.” The murder of Jangveladze became one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Georgia. The new version linking Ded Hasan ties the case to Russian-Georgian criminal networks.

●  The 6th Caspian Business Forum, “Along the Middle Corridor: Connectivity, Finance, and Energy”, organized by the Caspian Policy Center, is taking place in New York.

●  President Ilham Aliyev sent a message to participants, calling the Middle Corridor project a strategically important, reliable, and safe route connecting Europe and Asia through the Caspian Sea. The project, he noted, became reality “thanks to Azerbaijan’s strategic vision and tireless efforts.” “We have invested heavily in transport infrastructure along the Middle Corridor, in particular in the seaport, shipyard, railways, and other logistics facilities. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, the Baku International Sea Trade Port, and the Caspian cargo fleet are vital transport components ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the Middle Corridor. Over the past three years, cargo traffic along the Corridor through Azerbaijan has increased by nearly 90 percent, and transit times have been significantly reduced. By 2030, capacity is expected to triple compared to 2021, while transit time will be cut in half,” the message said.

●  Aliyev also highlighted the importance of the joint declaration signed in Washington on August 8 in the presence of the U.S. president, which laid the foundation for the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP). He described it as “the next key segment of the Middle Corridor and a vital transport link between Asia and Europe.” “Azerbaijan has mobilized all efforts to ensure the swift implementation of this route,” Aliyev wrote.

●  Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev, speaking at the forum: “Cargo growth along the Middle Corridor is expected to exceed 50 million tons annually. Azerbaijan is making additional investments in the project.” He outlined several directions:

• Baku Port’s cargo capacity is 25 million tons annually, with expansion works underway.
• Since 2020, construction has been underway on a railway from Baku to Zangilan and the Armenian border, due for completion by mid-2026.
• Work is ongoing on a 42-kilometer section of the Trump Route on Armenian territory with U.S. partners’ involvement. The transit road will run from Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenia and onward to Turkey. The agreement on this route was reached on August 8 in Washington with the participation of Donald Trump.
• Additional investments are being made in Nakhchivan.

Hajiyev invited further cooperation from international partners, including European states. “The main goal is to turn the South Caucasus into a space of cooperation,” he said.

●  Aliyev also met Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset at the UN headquarters. According to state agency AZERTAC, they exchanged views on Azerbaijan–Council of Europe cooperation. Details were not disclosed. The meeting comes against the backdrop of Azerbaijan’s voting rights being suspended at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in early 2024 over its failure to meet human rights obligations. In response, Baku suspended cooperation with the organization and later blacklisted deputies who voted for the decision, restricting their visits. Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly stated their readiness to resume cooperation once the delegation’s mandate is restored. Read more here

Azerbaijan has been a Council of Europe member since 2001.

●  In New York, Aliyev met Finnish President Alexander Stubb at the UN headquarters. The Finnish president congratulated him on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the “historic achievements reached in Washington.” Aliyev noted that it was during Finland’s OSCE chairmanship that the decision was taken to end the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group, which had been facilitating the Karabakh conflict since the early 1990s. “Azerbaijan and Armenia have entered a period of peace,” Aliyev said.

●  An Azerbaijani delegation took part in a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, held in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s 80th session. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry reported that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Niger, and a Kashmiri delegation also participated. A joint communiqué reaffirmed that the Kashmir conflict remains a priority on the OIC agenda, reiterated support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle, and emphasized the need for peaceful resolution efforts.

●  Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov posted on X, declaring that “Azerbaijan supports China’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. […] As a reliable partner in the region, Azerbaijan actively contributes to maintaining international and regional peace.”

●  Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić is on a visit to Azerbaijan.

●  A new metallurgical plant with future transition to hydrogen fuel will be built in Azerbaijan by the local company Dashkesan Demir Filiz and Kazakhstan’s Fonte GreenMet Investments Fund. The announcement was made at the Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2025) in Baku. Production is expected to launch in early 2029. One of the project’s key priorities will be minimizing environmental impact: new technologies will cut carbon emissions by up to 60% compared to blast furnaces.

●  “Another disinformation campaign against Azerbaijan has begun in foreign media outlets and on social media,” the Media Development Agency (MEDIA) said. According to the statement, some of the misinformation includes false claims that Azerbaijan is supplying arms to Ukraine through a third country, as well as allegations that Azerbaijan would boycott the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates. “It is deeply regrettable that Turkish media and social networks are reproducing such materials under the influence of these disinformation sources. We urge people not to believe the lies,” the agency stated.

●  The trial continues in the criminal case of Ruben Vardanyan, former state minister of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Armenian citizen, who remains in pre-trial detention. He is charged with torture, mercenarism, war crimes, terrorism, and other offenses. According to AZERTAC, “the court heard testimonies from victims and relatives of those killed as a result of murders, abductions, torture, and other crimes committed during the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories.” The next hearing is scheduled for September 30.

●  An ongoing long-distance dispute continues between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and former Armenian presidents over holding public debates. Against the backdrop of harsh criticism from the ex-leaders, many of whom are considered pro-Russian, Pashinyan has been repeatedly proposing for almost a year now to exchange arguments in a televised debate. Yesterday once again saw an “online crossfire” between them throughout the day, and once again the prime minister was refused.

• Levon Zurabyan, an ally of Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan, publicly asked him to allow him (Zurabyan) to participate in the debates instead, promising a “tangible therapeutic effect.”

• From the office of the second president came the advice to “give up either vodka or medicine.”

• The office of the third president responded with a quotation: “Never argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.” Interestingly, although widely attributed to Twain, the phrase appears in none of his works or confirmed speeches. It is also absent from the most respected collection of quotations – the Twain Quotes website, maintained by independent researcher Barbara Schmidt.

●  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan: “Our goal is to reach European Union standards in every sphere. We understand that even after this we may not become an EU member, but our main task is to meet EU standards. Once we achieve this, regardless of whether we are admitted or not, that will be our result. That is how we will accomplish our task of high standards.” He said this while speaking at the Armenian Democracy Forum in Yerevan.

●  Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. They reportedly exchanged views on advancing the peace agenda and agreed to continue the dialogue.

●  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, addressing the UN General Assembly: “The process of normalizing our country’s relations with Armenia is proceeding as planned. I have repeatedly urged Armenia and Azerbaijan toward peace, and I am pleased to see the steps taken on August 8 (at the meeting of the two countries’ leaders in Washington with the participation of Donald Trump).”

●  Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan. The meeting focused on “neighborly relations between the two countries and successful cooperation between Tbilisi and Yerevan in various areas.” Avinyan stressed that Armenia attaches great importance to exchanging experience with Georgia in urban development and transport policy. Kobakhidze confirmed Georgia’s readiness to further develop the strategic partnership between the two countries and deepen cooperation.

●  During his working visit to New York, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid. The sides noted the dynamic development of Armenian–Iraqi relations and the need to deepen political dialogue and practical cooperation based on mutual interests. They emphasized the importance of launching a direct Yerevan–Baghdad flight as a key tool for developing political, economic, and tourism ties.

●  According to preliminary information, the ruling Civil Contract party’s candidate lists for the 2026 elections will be determined by internal voting. This was announced by party MP Vagharshak Hakobyan.

●  Two people were killed in a shooting in Merdzavan: Volodya Grigoryan, the head of the Parakar community, and Karen Abrahamyan, a criminal police officer from the Ararat district police department. According to Interior Ministry spokesperson Narek Sargsyan at the scene, the policeman was on vacation, was a friend of the opposition-leaning Grigoryan, and was with him at the time of the killing.

●  Georgian Dream’s Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili has not been invited to the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled for October 20 in Luxembourg. The format includes foreign ministers from Central Asia and the Black Sea region. Georgia, however, was told that it could only be represented by its ambassador to the EU.

●  The Foreign Ministry issued an angry statement, calling the invitation for Georgia’s ambassador to attend a ministerial-level meeting unacceptable. “This is a denial of geopolitical realities and demonstrates the EU’s unserious approach. Georgia’s role in regional security and in Europe–Asia relations must be taken into account, and the country must be represented at the appropriate level. Such an approach by EU institutions serves only to fuel political speculation within the country and deepen societal polarization. We hope that most EU member states will correctly assess Georgia’s strategic role and will not share the position of the European External Action Service,” the statement read.

●  Asaaf Chiraqov, the opposition Lelo party’s candidate for mayor of Bolnisi, has withdrawn his candidacy in favor of Zamur Chitanava from the ruling Georgian Dream. The party described this move as the result of intimidation and pressure. Chiraqov himself denies any pressure, saying he made the decision independently.

Local elections are scheduled for October 4 and are marked by strong opposition resistance. Only three opposition groups are taking part, while others have declared a boycott. Demonstrations and protest marches are also planned in Tbilisi and across Georgia on October 4.

• More details on the elections here

• More on the protests scheduled for October 4 here

●  “Be careful, don’t stumble,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze told residents. “On October 4, we will celebrate victory. Georgian Dream will win in all municipalities, including the capital. Peace and stability will be preserved, and the country’s economic development and progress will continue,” he declared.

Kaladze is running for re-election as Tbilisi mayor from the ruling party. Mass protests have been staged against him, and several people were arrested for vandalizing his campaign banners, including opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria. Read more here

●  According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has accepted for consideration a case filed by NGOs and media outlets against the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence.” GYLA reports that the court may assign the case the status of one of significant importance, as it concerns serious human rights violations.

●  “Abkhazia is discussing the possibility of direct maritime links with Syria and intends to raise the issue of air connections in the future,” said Abkhaz “economy minister” Teimuraz Mikvabia to Russian media. “We have already signed a number of agreements at the government level and are also discussing transport and logistics ties with our colleagues. I think direct maritime links between our ports and Syrian ports will help both us and Syria,” Mikvabia said. He also recalled that an Abkhaz representation took part in the 62nd international fair in Damascus.

Syria is one of only five states that have recognized Abkhazia’s independence. After the change of power in Syria in 2024, many expected the recognition to be revoked, but that did not happen. Read more here

●  A mass march demanding Georgia’s return to the path of European integration took place in Tbilisi on Tuesday evening, marking the 300th consecutive day of pro-European protests. The demands include holding new, fair parliamentary elections and releasing detained and convicted protesters.

●  Activist Isako Davidze was detained near parliament during Tuesday evening’s pro-European protest. A video circulating online shows a police officer saying Davidze had attempted to block the road and was detained for disobedience.

●  The penitentiary service has denied claims made by the mother of detained activist Giorgi Chikvaidze that he was banned from meeting with his parents. “In accordance with Article 120 of the criminal-executive code, he is entitled to two short-term visits per month, and he used his right in September,” the statement said.

●  The lawyer of detained activist Nino Datashvili is demanding her transfer to a hospital. She is currently under the supervision of prison medical staff, but her lawyer says this is gravely insufficient given her health condition.

In Tbilisi, thousands of people are marching through the city carrying Georgian and European Union flags. Today marks the 300th day of continuous pro-European protests. The demands remain the same: to restart the country’s EU integration process, to hold new fair parliamentary… pic.twitter.com/7s4GaciS12

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) September 23, 2025

●  “International cooperation among security agencies plays a crucial role in preventing and addressing international security challenges and in building a safer future,” said President Ilham Aliyev, addressing participants of the international conference in Baku, “Cooperation of Security Agencies in Preventing Humanitarian Crises and Global Technogenic Disasters During Terrorist Attacks and Armed Conflicts.” The president called the joint declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia, signed by the leaders of the two countries with the participation of Donald Trump in Washington on August 8, “an important historic step toward ending the long-standing conflict.” Aliyev added: “Ensuring lasting peace in the South Caucasus will create new opportunities for cooperation for Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.”

For the first time, a delegation of Armenia’s National Security Service attended the conference in Baku. “High-level contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan almost always took place within negotiation processes and were almost always confidential. From the outset, society understood that these contacts were about the conflict. Neither we nor the Azerbaijanis were used to contacts in other formats. After the Washington agreements, this should change both politically and in our mindset,” experts in Yerevan wrote. More here.

● Over the weekend, Rwandan President Paul Kagame visited Baku.

● The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku has concluded. The winner was Dutch driver Max Verstappen (pictured below), who took victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the second time, the previous was in 2022. In Formula 2, Jack Crawford of the Dams Lukas Oil team won first place.

● Azerbaijan’s Greco-Roman wrestling team took second place at the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. First place went to Iran, while Uzbekistan finished third. In total, Azerbaijani wrestlers won eight medals. Ulvi Ganizade (72 kg) became world champion, Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Hasrat Jafarov (67 kg) won silver, while Eldeniz Azizli (55 kg), Nureddin Novruzov (61 kg), Arseniy Dzhioev (86 kg), Osman Nurmagomedov (92 kg), and Murad Akhmediev (92 kg) earned bronze medals.

● Armenia marked the 34th anniversary of the Republic’s independence. In 1991, a referendum on independence was held, and more than 94 percent of voters said “yes” to the question of whether they wanted Armenia to be an independent state outside the Soviet Union.

● “The process of gaining independence is like moving from a train car into a car. As with any car, we must take care of the condition of our state. The documents of our state, like a car’s papers, must be up to date and in order. We must know the traffic rules so that we can properly and wisely drive our state—our car—toward the goal we dream of, and that goal is freedom, prosperity, security, peace, and happiness,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on the occasion.

● Armenia received congratulatory messages from leaders of many countries. In his message, Donald Trump said that “we look forward to realizing the full potential of your wonderful vision of Armenia as a ‘Crossroads of Peace’ and of Trump’s program, ‘The Road to International Peace and Prosperity’ (TRIPP), which will symbolize our mutual commitments and bring real economic benefits.”

● The ruling Civil Contract party adopted a nine-point declaration at its weekend congress. Among other things, it declared the strategic goal of creating Armenia’s “Fourth Republic,” winning a constitutional majority in next year’s elections, and adopting a new Constitution. More on the declaration and the “Fourth Republic” here.

● Political circles are actively discussing the announcement of the intention to create Armenia’s “Fourth Republic.” Former Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan stated: “Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is the last person in this world capable of leading such a transformation. Talk of the ‘Fourth Republic’ is nothing more than a cynical attempt to present failure as rebirth.”

● Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and one of the founders of the Civil Contract party, Hakob Arshakyan, was not allowed to take part in the party’s 7th congress. Party board deputy chairman Gevorg Papoyan said the reason was arrears in membership fees. Local media reported the amount as 30,000 drams (around $79).

● A delegation from Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) arrived in Baku for the first time to participate in an international security forum. It is only known so far that the delegation was led by NSS chief Andranik Simonyan. The conference was held on September 20–21, and the Armenian delegation arrived in Baku on the evening of September 20. More details here.

● A fire broke out in the laboratory of Yerevan State Medical University; one person was hospitalized.

● An international exhibition, “Sacred Dialogue: From the Louvre to the History Museum of Armenia,” opened in Yerevan. Sixteen masterpieces from the Louvre’s collection are displayed in dialogue with a specially curated selection from the History Museum of Armenia. The exhibition features artifacts from the 14th to the 20th centuries, including glass and wooden artworks, stone sculptures (khachkars), architectural fragments, jewelry, church vestments, tableware, and icons.

Video: Fireworks celebrating Armenia’s independence at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre.

● Today marks the 300th day of continuous public protests demanding the resumption of Georgia’s EU integration process, new fair parliamentary elections, and the release of arrested and convicted protesters. In Tbilisi, a march is scheduled to begin at 19:00 from the monument to the 300 Aragvians in the Ortachala district and proceed to parliament. On Rustaveli Avenue, a film screening and an exhibition on political prisoners are planned.

● Salome Samadashvili, one of the leaders of the opposition movement Lelo – Strong Georgia: “When you are in opposition but do not run against the regime in elections, you are helping the regime strengthen its position. For Bidzina Ivanishvili (the oligarch considered Georgia’s shadow ruler), this means an even greater consolidation of power. He will say that Georgians have no choice but Georgian Dream, no other political parties, since no one else is participating in the elections. The opposition’s decision to boycott the October 4 municipal elections strengthens the regime.” Only three opposition groups—Lelo – Strong Georgia, Gakharia for Georgia, and Girchi—have fielded candidates. More on the elections and the opposition split here.

● The “president” of the Tskhinvali region (the self-proclaimed South Ossetia), Alan Gagloev, called on the ruling Georgian Dream party to recognize the independence of this territory. “We say openly: those in Georgia who have found the humanity to acknowledge Saakashvili’s responsibility for aggression against South Ossetia must now take the next step. They must recognize South Ossetia. Not for politics, but for the future, for justice, so that all peoples of the Caucasus can live under a peaceful sky,” Gagloev said. No comment has yet been made by the ruling party. Earlier, a special commission created by Georgian Dream concluded that former president Mikheil Saakashvili was responsible for starting the August 2008 war with Russia over South Ossetia. More here.

● Fifth President Salome Zurabishvili posted on X about Russia’s attacks on other countries: “How many alarm bells are needed? Russia continues to ignore and provoke the democratic world in Ukraine, and now in Poland and Estonia. Cyberattacks everywhere, interference in elections, propaganda warfare, hybrid war in Georgia. It’s time to act.”

● Georgian Dream’s President Mikheil Kavelashvili has traveled to the U.S., where he will deliver a speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. According to the press service, he will meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and attend an official reception in New York hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in honor of delegation heads participating in the General Assembly.

● The court has ordered pre-trial detention for four defendants in a case involving the production of untaxed cigarettes. Among them are Vasil Mkheidze, son-in-law of also-arrested former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze (who served from 2020–2024), and Nugzar Tsabaurashvili, a member of the ex-minister’s personal security staff.

● In Tbilisi’s old town, the Legvtakhevi (Fig Gorge) has reopened after nearly two years of reconstruction. The main work focused on reinforcing the rock around the 22-meter waterfall, and special nets were installed above the pathways. The bridges over the Tsavkisistskali River have been renovated, and new lighting, benches, and trash bins have been installed. The city hall reported that the project was carried out with the participation of German and Austrian specialists.

In Tbilisi, the traditional city festival Tbilisoba was celebrated over the weekend. Photo: JAMnews

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 15-18 September, 2025