Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 31 August-4 September, 2026

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s briefing:

• During his conversation with Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, there was an understanding that the issue of Armenia’s railway, which is under Russian concession management for 30 years, needs to be resolved. Armenia has proposed that Russia sell the concession rights to a third country, as Russian management deprives Armenia of competitive advantages.

• “We have never raised the issue of the Russian military base in Armenia, and this is not because we consider its presence vital. If Russia decides to withdraw it, we will not object. But if they express a desire to stay, we are ready to discuss that as well.” Pashinyan was commenting on Putin’s recent statement that Russia does not want to impose its military presence on Armenia and, if Armenia believes it does not need the Russian military base, Russia can “leave as soon as tomorrow”.

• There are no plans, and never have been, to introduce a visa regime for Russian citizens, Pashinyan said, responding to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s statement that Armenia could introduce visas for Russians. “Armenia welcomes Russians with great pleasure and affection, and they seem to feel quite comfortable in Armenia,” the prime minister said.

• Armenia is also discussing Russian involvement in the construction of the Achapnyak metro station in Yerevan, “because they have extensive experience in this area, and we would be happy if they supported us”.

More on these and other statements by Nikol Pashinyan here.

● An Armenian-Turkish business forum has opened in Yerevan. “Relations between Armenian and Turkish businesses have never been interrupted, even in the absence of diplomatic relations. Opening the Armenian-Turkish border would significantly reduce transport costs, boost trade and enable joint investment projects,” said Arsen Ghazaryan, chairman of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia. He noted that even with the border closed, Turkish goods and services continued to enter Armenia, while Armenian exports to Türkiye remained extremely limited and were mainly routed through third countries.

● The European Union is ready to contribute to the normalisation of Armenian-Turkish relations, the establishment of business ties between the two countries, and new transport and energy infrastructure projects, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos said at the forum’s opening.

● Armenia’s prospects for European integration were discussed at a joint press conference in Prague by the presidents of Armenia and the Czech Republic following Vahagn Khachaturyan’s visit. Petr Pavel said the talks did not address a specific roadmap for Armenia’s EU accession or individual steps in the process. “We are talking about expanding relations between the European Union and Armenia,” the Czech president said.

● Petr Pavel: “Armenia is heavily dependent on the Russian market, and we will try to support the country in reducing this dependence. […] Russia uses its influence and puts pressure on neighbouring countries, preventing them from expanding relations with other countries. […] The day before, the Council of the European Union decided to open the EU market to around 80% of goods exported from Armenia, removing customs duties on them for two years.”

● Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan discussed the Armenia-EU agenda with EU Ambassador Vassilis Maragos.

● The detention of former transport and communications minister and former Yerevan mayor Gagik Beglaryan has been extended by another two months. He has been in custody since June 5. Beglaryan is accused of abuse of office and large-scale money laundering. The Anti-Corruption Committee previously said that between 2004 and 2010, while serving as head of Yerevan’s Kentron district and later as mayor, Beglaryan transferred 27 properties worth 2.327 billion drams (around $6.5 million) into his own name or those of affiliated persons. According to the case materials, the illegally obtained assets were subsequently laundered.

● The government has approved a simplified customs corridor between Armenia and Iran. The two sides will exchange information on goods and vehicles electronically.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the Meridian Expo Centre, where preparations are underway for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), which will take place in October.

● Nikol Pashinyan received the French ambassador to Armenia, who is completing his diplomatic mission. The prime minister stressed the importance of establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries and expanding bilateral ties.

● Belarus has banned the sale of Armenian Yerevan 2,800 eight-year-old brandy “due to non-compliance with established requirements”. The drink reportedly contained insufficient levels of tannins. The ban took effect on September 3.

● Azerbaijan and Serbia have completed talks in Istanbul on establishing a joint venture to build a new gas-fired power plant in Niš, Serbia. The project would be the first joint venture between Serbian companies EPS and Srbijagas and Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR. The agreement is expected to be signed in Belgrade within a month. The plant will have a capacity of up to 500 MW and is expected to be completed within four years.

● The fourth International Conference on Mine Action has concluded in Baku. It was jointly organised by Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) and the UN office in Azerbaijan. The conference focused on “Humanitarian Mine Action for Urban Recovery: Defining Standards of Excellence for Safe Settlements”. A joint declaration was adopted.

● The EU strongly supports Azerbaijan’s approach to mine action, which combines land restoration, the return of residents and long-term development, EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mariana Kuyundzic said at the conference. She said the EU’s collective support for mine action in Azerbaijan has reached €22 million.

● President Ilham Aliyev met OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, who is visiting Baku. Sampietro congratulated Azerbaijan on progress in the peace process with Armenia. Aliyev said the OSCE Minsk Group, which had been responsible for resolving the conflict for nearly 30 years, had failed to achieve results. He also said UN Security Council resolutions calling for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijani territory had not been implemented. Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan itself ended the conflict through military and political means and restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He praised political dialogue with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, “unlike some European parliamentary institutions”.

● Members of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also met Sampietro. He praised the regional peace-building process and stressed the importance of adapting the OSCE PA to new geopolitical realities and supporting lasting peace in the region.

● Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met Sampietro to discuss regional developments and the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agenda. Bayramov stressed the importance of inter-parliamentary dialogue in strengthening mutual understanding, trust and cooperation. He also said the mine threat remains a serious challenge, hindering reconstruction, the return of displaced people and regional development. Bayramov stressed the importance of determining the fate of around 4,000 Azerbaijanis missing since the first Karabakh war in the 1990s. The Middle Corridor and expanding transport and logistics links between Europe and Central Asia via the Caspian were also discussed.

● Armenia’s Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan did not rule out a visit to Baku following his September 1 meeting in Bishkek with Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev. “I am pleased to say that the Azerbaijani side is taking and will continue to take all steps aimed at establishing peace,” Simonyan told journalists. He said a similar meeting had also been planned when Armen Grigoryan was Armenia’s Security Council Secretary.

● Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency (MEDİA) has again accused several Western media outlets of conducting a “defamatory, disinformation and anti-Azerbaijani information campaign” allegedly coordinated from a single centre. It cited as an example what it called false information published by Poland-based Nexta on September 2 about a fire near Nizami village in Goranboy district. The agency also named The Independent, The Guardian, BBC, CNN, Le Monde and Poland’s TVP, accusing them of spreading a “one-sided approach and unfounded claims”. MEDİA said such reports had increased because the normalisation of relations between South Caucasus neighbours and greater regional stability allegedly do not serve the interests of “certain circles”.

● Three offshore wind projects in Azerbaijan, each with a planned capacity of 200 MW, are currently undergoing preliminary assessment, with initial land plots already approved, SOCAR Green said. Preliminary forecasts suggest the country’s offshore wind capacity could reach around 6–7 GW by 2040.

● Orhan Hasanoglu, head of the Azerbaijan-Cyprus Friendship Society, commented on the detention of three Azerbaijani citizens as part of an investigation into a shipwreck off the coast of northern Cyprus. He said they were technical staff without decision-making authority and had been detained for three days as part of the investigation, with no charges brought against them. Hasanoglu said the Azerbaijani citizens risked their lives to help others, while the ship’s captain and his assistant left the vessel.

● A group of Georgian journalists and bloggers is visiting Karabakh and surrounding areas that Azerbaijan says were liberated from Armenian occupation during the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

● A group of Azerbaijani journalists is visiting Israel. On Thursday, they visited the international broadcaster i24NEWS and learned about its work amid continuing tensions in the Middle East. i24NEWS chairman Frank Melloul said the channel employs Arabs and Jews, as well as representatives of all major faiths in the region.

● Azerbaijani citizen Nijat Azizov, accused of fighting in Syria as a member of ISIS, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison.

PHOTO: A reserve in Shusha, Karabakh, is asking the public to help combat graffiti on the rocks. “Tourists recently committed this vandalism again, despite an active awareness campaign and fines,” it said.

● Baku is hosting the fourth international conference on mine action. President Ilham Aliyev addressed participants, saying that after nearly 30 years of Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories, Azerbaijan has become one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. “More than 3,500 of our citizens have been affected by mines since the beginning of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan. More than 13% of Azerbaijan’s territory is contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, creating serious obstacles to reconstruction, economic activity and the safe return of internally displaced people to their homes,” Aliyev said. He stressed that the problem is compounded by the fact that most minefield maps provided by Armenia proved inaccurate and incomplete.

● The Azerbaijani government independently covers more than 95% of the country’s demining efforts, and this experience could serve as an important example for other states, UN-Habitat Regional Office Director Erfan Ali told journalists in Baku. He said that more than 3,000 hectares have already been cleared of mines through the work of Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA).

● Saudi Arabia has allocated $3 million for humanitarian demining in Azerbaijan, Saudi Foreign Ministry representative Salem Al-Qahtani said at the conference.

● Azerbaijan and NATO are discussing new joint mine-action projects, including support for initiatives by Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) and the exchange of expertise, NATO Arms Control Officer Eirini Lemos-Mania said at the conference.

● The documentary “Deadly Legacy”, about the impact of the global mine problem in Azerbaijan and other countries, was screened for the first time. Filming took place in territories recaptured from Armenian forces during the Second Karabakh War, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Laos. The film was commissioned by the Karabakh Revival Fund and features interviews with local and international experts and officials, as well as stories of people affected by landmines.

● Newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Dmitry Shlapachenko presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan had hosted major UN events, including COP29 and the World Urban Forum. This year, a Forum on Intercultural Dialogue will be organised jointly with the UN Alliance of Civilizations. Shlapachenko said the UN is ready to support Azerbaijan’s development programme, including large-scale projects in post-conflict Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, as well as efforts to address the landmine threat. They also discussed environmental issues, including improving the condition of transboundary rivers in the South Caucasus and the worrying decline in the level of the Caspian Sea.

● Azerbaijan fully supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative, President Ilham Aliyev said during a meeting with a Chinese delegation led by Prosecutor General Ying Yong. “Connectivity between Central Asia, Azerbaijan and China is an important factor in global cooperation and security,” Aliyev said. He noted that he had made state visits to two Central Asian countries last month and plans to visit a third next month. “Connectivity is the main topic of the negotiations, and China is the main player in terms of cargo volumes,” he said, also noting strong interest from Chinese companies in operating in Azerbaijan.

● Simplifying the visa regime between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan was discussed during bilateral consular consultations in Ashgabat. The delegations agreed to hold their next meeting in Baku next year.

● Another court hearing was held in the so-called “NGO case”. One of the main charges against more than 10 civil society activists is receiving funding through service contracts for project implementation. In all the cases, the funds were officially transferred to the organisations’ bank accounts and all taxes were paid. Nevertheless, prosecutors classify the funds as “proceeds of crime”. At the September 2 hearing, the prosecutor requested a nine-year suspended sentence for Hafiz Hasanov, head of the public association Law and Development and one of the defendants. Hasanov, like the other defendants, denies the charges and requested additional time to give his final statement. The next hearing is scheduled for September 16.

● Salaries for more than 72,000 healthcare workers have been increased by 70% from September 1, state medical agency TƏBİB director Anar Bayramov said. The official order has not yet been published. Under the reform, salaries for family doctors and primary healthcare doctors will rise from 1,150 manats (about $680) to 2,000 manats (about $1,200). Bayramov said the initiative was proposed by First Vice-President and President’s wife Mehriban Aliyeva. Local media note that Azerbaijan has not seen such a large increase in monthly public-sector salaries in recent years. The average monthly salary in the country is 1,174.4 manats (about $690).

● Azerbaijan Railways has warned about fake tickets being sold for the Baku–Tbilisi–Baku train. Some travel companies and social media accounts are distributing fraudulent offers. The company reiterated that it does not cooperate with any travel company or intermediary on this route and does not allocate ticket quotas to them. Tickets can only be purchased through the official Azerbaijan Railways website, the ADY Mobile app or railway ticket offices in Baku and Tbilisi. An investigation into the sale of fake tickets has been launched.

● Another shipment of diesel fuel from Azerbaijan to Armenia will be sent today — 17 tankers carrying 989 tonnes. So far, around 15,000 tonnes of diesel fuel and nearly 5,000 tonnes of AI-92 and AI-95 petrol have been exported to Armenia. In addition, more than 55,000 tonnes of grain, around 9,000 tonnes of fertilisers, 1,414 tonnes of propane, 133 tonnes of aluminium, 1,114 tonnes of coal and 334 tonnes of timber have been transited from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan.

● Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava was buried at Mukhatgverdi cemetery. Thousands of people attended the funeral, and Georgian flags were displayed at the cemetery. Buava was found dead in his Tbilisi apartment at the end of August. Three people have been arrested in connection with the case: one is accused of leaving him without assistance while he was in critical condition, while the other two are charged with purchasing and possessing drugs. An investigation is also underway under the article on incitement to suicide. The exact cause of Buava’s death has not yet been officially established.

● Public Defender Levan Ioseliani met former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili in prison. According to Ioseliani, the former prime minister made no complaints about his conditions of detention, treatment by the administration or his safety. Gharibashvili’s letters from prison accusing the authorities were not discussed. Ioseliani confirmed only that Gharibashvili was upset over the cancellation of a long-term visit with his children that he had previously been promised. The prison administration said the visit had been granted as an incentive but was postponed due to infrastructure works, the ombudsman said.

● The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) and Amnesty International are calling on the Georgian authorities not to deport Russian activist Denis Kulanin to Russia and to allow him to travel to a third safe country. According to the organisations, Kulanin faces a real risk of political persecution, arbitrary detention and ill-treatment in Russia because he publicly condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine and supported opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Kulanin was convicted in Georgia of attacking a police vehicle during a pro-European protest and was pardoned by the president several days ago. However, he remains in a temporary migration centre. He was not allowed to fly to Yerevan on September 2, and the Interior Ministry’s final decision on his deportation destination is not known.

● Georgian Airways continues to operate flights to Russia as scheduled despite a warning from the president of Ukraine about increased risks in Russian airspace. According to an airline representative, Georgian Airways will wait for an international response and decisions by major carriers. Following Zelensky’s statement, several flights were cancelled by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Nesma Airlines and Armenian carrier Shirak Avia. Georgian Airways did not say whether it had conducted its own safety assessment.

● Businessman and prominent animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili has gone on hunger strike after being arrested for disobeying a police order. His lawyer, Iako Siranashvili, said she was subjected to violence by police during his arrest. More here.

● Following the publication of the national exam results, dozens of applicants discovered that the St Tbel Abuseridze Patriarchal University they had chosen is not in Tbilisi but in the mountains of Adjara, in the village of Khichauri in Shuakhevi municipality. Some admitted students say they cannot afford to move for financial and family reasons and are looking for ways to continue their studies at another university. A repeat admissions process announced by the Education Ministry applies only to those who were not admitted to any programme. Those already admitted to Khichauri are not eligible. The Education Ministry has not yet commented on the issue.

● The government plans to introduce legislation regulating the use of electric scooters by minors to improve road safety. The bill is expected to be submitted to parliament during the autumn session. Age restrictions, protective equipment requirements, traffic rules and possible penalties have not yet been announced.

● Tbilisi City Hall has announced the reconstruction of Aleksandre Chavchavadze Street in the Mtatsminda district. Underground utilities and the road surface will be replaced, while pavements, kerbs and lighting will be upgraded, green areas created and infrastructure adapted for people with disabilities. Chavchavadze Street starts from Rustaveli Avenue, where reconstruction works are already underway and are expected to be completed by the end of November. City Hall has not specified the exact start and completion dates for the project.

● An air expedition of 26 private aircraft from Luxembourg is taking place in Georgia. Participants will stay in the country from September 2 to 8, visit different regions and attend the opening of the Aviation Village in Kachreti. According to the Foreign Ministry, the visit aims to promote Georgia’s tourism and investment opportunities and deepen ties with European private aviation representatives. Meetings with government officials are also planned.

● President Mikheil Kavelashvili awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece to Zhou Qian, former Chinese ambassador to Georgia, for his contribution to strengthening Georgian-Chinese relations. As Zhou Qian is not currently in Georgia, the award was accepted by China’s chargé d’affaires.

● The EU has agreed on trade preferences for Armenia amid Russia’s restrictions on imports of almost all Armenian products. The measures have dealt a serious blow to Armenian farmers, as the Russian market has traditionally been Armenia’s main export destination. The EU Council has approved temporary, two-year trade liberalisation measures to support Armenia’s economy, according to the Council’s official website. Tariffs will be fully removed on 80% of Armenian exports to the EU, including certain agricultural products covered by tariff quotas. According to the EU, the new preferences could redirect almost 99% of Armenian fruits, vegetables and plants, and more than 91% of beverages and alcoholic products that previously went to Russia to the European market. The decision still requires formal approval by the European Parliament. The preferences will apply provided Armenia complies with rules of origin and a number of commitments under its partnership agreement with the EU.

● Armenia has exported 60 tonnes of fish and fish products to the United Arab Emirates, the Food Safety Inspection Body reported. It said the agency is coordinating with companies involved in fish farming and exports and an UAE export organisation.

● “It was difficult, but we achieved it” — Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said that despite Russia’s restrictions, Armenia’s agro-food exports in January-July this year were almost unchanged from the same period in 2025. “Since the beginning of the year, $849 million worth of such products have been exported, just 1.9% less than in January-July 2025 ($865 million). We continue to look for new markets,” Papoyan wrote.

● Kommersant correspondent Andrei Kolesnikov published a detailed account of the meeting in Bishkek between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The journalist suggested that Armenia could eventually be excluded from the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union because of its declared course towards European integration. “Nikol Pashinyan was nervous. He forgot to button his jacket as he approached Vladimir Putin, then, after walking past journalists with him, hurriedly began doing so in front of the cameras, when another handshake had to be captured. As he sat down in the chair, he once again began unbuttoning his jacket,” Kolesnikov wrote. At the meeting, Putin again urged Yerevan to urgently decide on its foreign economic course and hold a referendum on whether citizens prefer to be in the EU or the EAEU with Russia. Read more about the meeting here

● Former Armenian State Revenue Committee chairman Gagik Khachatryan, detained the previous day, has been remanded in custody pending the investigation. Earlier, the Investigative Committee said a criminal case had been opened against him over allegedly accepting a particularly large bribe and money laundering. Searches were conducted at apartments belonging to Khachatryan and his son, as well as at offices and branches of around 21 companies affiliated with them.

● Armenian and US officials made a joint visit to Syunik province, where construction is under way on the Armenian section of a road as part of the Trump Route International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) transit project. The project’s Facebook page said the delegation included representatives of Armenia’s foreign and international trade ministries, US Chargé d’Affaires David Allen, State Department Senior Policy Planning Adviser John Asconas, and representatives of engineering company AECOM. They visited Goris, Meghri and Kapan. “Local communities received information, people asked questions, expressed their views and discussed how expanding regional connectivity could create new economic opportunities for Armenia while supporting Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the post said.

● Paris has cancelled the official opening of an exhibition dedicated to 19 Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The exhibition was organised by the Paris city government and the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organisations of France (CCAF). According to Nouvelles d’Arménie, the decision came after Azerbaijan protested to French authorities. The previous day, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, urged the Paris mayor to cancel the event. “These Armenian prisoners are accused of serious crimes against humanity, war crimes, terrorism, as well as attempting to seize power by force,” the ambassador wrote.

● A roundtable titled “The Digital Future of the Crossroads of Peace: Artificial Intelligence, Security and Innovative Infrastructure” was held in Yerevan. Participants discussed the prospects for developing various components of the Armenian government’s multifaceted transit project. The main focus was on the role of the IT sector in developing the digital component of the Crossroads of Peace project, including border management and infrastructure protection.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a telegram of condolences to French President Emmanuel Macron over the death of former Prime Minister Édouard Balladur. “In Armenia, we remember with particular feeling Édouard Balladur’s Armenian roots, which linked his life story with the Armenian people,” Pashinyan wrote.

● A delegation led by Major General Manish Kumar Gupta, Commandant of India’s National Defence College, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan. The Indian delegation also visited the museum and signed the guest book.

● Six Armenian companies took part in the international Texworld Paris fashion exhibition in France.

● Five people were killed and 11 injured in a road accident on the Kuchak–Aparan highway. Two people are in hospital in a stable but serious condition.

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Bishkek. This was their first meeting since Pashinyan was re-elected. Putin has not congratulated him on his victory, while Pashinyan has repeatedly faced criticism and threats from Russia over his declared course towards European integration. There had been expectations in Armenia of a tense conversation. The talks lasted about an hour, with most of the meeting held behind closed doors. In the part open to the media, Putin and Pashinyan discussed Armenia’s intention to join the European Union.

● The meeting focused in particular on Armenia’s proposed law outlining its course towards European integration. Putin argued that adopting a law to begin the process of joining another economic organisation amounts to declaring an intention to leave the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). “Being in both is incompatible,” Putin said. Pashinyan responded that the Armenian authorities recognise the need to make a specific choice in the future, but that the right time has not yet come.

● Putin again said that the Armenian authorities should give citizens the opportunity to decide where they want the country to be — in the EU or in the EAEU with Russia. “Do it [hold a referendum] and close the issue once and for all,” Putin said. Pashinyan again said there would be no referendum on the issue “because the question is not yet ripe”. He also stressed that Yerevan had examined the EAEU’s legal framework and found no provisions that would be violated by Armenia’s adoption of a law expressing its intention to join the EU.

Here is a detailed report on the Pashinyan-Putin meeting in Bishkek.

● Putin also commented on the widely discussed issue in Armenia of the Russian military base in Gyumri, the country’s second-largest city. “This is for Armenia to decide. If they decide that they do not need this infrastructure, we will leave as early as tomorrow. We will not impose anything on anyone. If the Armenian people want a Russian military contingent there [to provide defence], we will stay, work and cooperate.,” the Russian president said at a press conference in Bishkek.

● Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was the only leader of a CIS member state to speak at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s “SCO+” summit in Bishkek in a language other than Russian. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov commented on the decision, calling it “strange”. “It is rare; before, I think, he did not do this,” Ushakov said.

● Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan and Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev met in Bishkek. They reportedly continued discussions on the peace agenda following the meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

● Nikol Pashinyan met in Bishkek with a US delegation led by Senator Steve Daines. They discussed the importance of developing the strategic partnership between the two countries in various areas. The role of the TRIPP transit project in unblocking and developing regional communications was also emphasised.

● Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Bishkek. They discussed expanding the bilateral agenda and regional developments.

● A two-day forum bringing together Armenian and Turkish business communities will be held in Yerevan on September 3–4. It is organised by the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia as part of the EU-funded programme “Support to the Normalisation of Armenia-Türkiye Relations: Strengthening Cross-Border Links”. The forum will discuss the potential for business ties and opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

● National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan met with EU Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, head of the EU delegation. They discussed further deepening Armenia-EU relations and highlighted the readiness of the Armenian and European parliaments to maintain active contacts. They also stressed the importance of opening regional communications to establish long-term peace and stability in the region.

● The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced a tender to select a consulting company to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of new crossing points on the Armenia-Türkiye border — Akhurik, Margara and Yeraskh — as well as a bridge over the Margara River.

● Former State Revenue Committee chairman Gagik Khachatryan has been detained on charges of accepting a particularly large bribe and money laundering on a particularly large scale. Searches were conducted at Khachatryan’s and his son’s apartments, as well as at the offices and branches of around 21 companies affiliated with them. He was subsequently detained, and a public criminal case has been opened against him.

● Gagik Khachatryan’s lawyers said he was subjected to torture during his arrest and published footage from his home and the court. The video below shows him lying on a bed and crying out in pain as he is taken out on a stretcher to be transported to court. Other footage shows him lying on chairs in the courtroom and later on a stretcher in the courtroom. His lawyers recalled that Khachatryan was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in 2015. Special implants have been placed in his cervical spine that are not used in medical institutions in Armenia. His lawyers say he needs urgent surgery that cannot be performed in Armenia because the country lacks the necessary specialists, equipment and technical facilities.

“We deliberately refrained from publishing footage showing Khachatryan’s serious condition, respecting his privacy. However, we now believe it is necessary to show the real cruelty he has been subjected to,” the lawyers said.

● Nikol Pashinyan sent a telegram of condolences to the prime minister of Norway over the death of King Harald V.

● The 2026–27 school year has begun in Armenia. Around 415,000 students will attend schools this year. As of August 31, around 33,000 children had enrolled in first grade.

● An official Facebook page has been launched for the regional transit project “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP). The page will be managed by teams from the Armenian Foreign Ministry and the US Embassy in Armenia.

● A temporary solution has been reached in the dispute between Yerevan City Hall and residents of informal structures in the Aeratsia neighbourhood of the Shengavit administrative district. The structures will not be demolished until their residents find alternative housing. One resident told journalists about the decision after a meeting with Shengavit district head Romik Mkhitaryan. The previous day, local residents prevented the structures from being demolished, staging a protest and blocking the road with baby strollers. “We were told to submit applications so they can understand how they can help us. Yes, these are illegal structures, and sooner or later everything here will be demolished, but they will not touch them until everyone is provided with housing,” one resident said, adding that the district administration had treated them very well.

● Convicted former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili is confronting current Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and his ally, former Deputy Prime Minister Mamuka Mdinaradze, who recently left politics. In another letter, Gharibashvili claims that Mdinaradze lost his position and left politics because he made “serious and gross mistakes” in the case against Gharibashvili. According to the former prime minister, “irreparable damage was done to the country, the people and the ruling Georgian Dream party with the involvement of Mdinaradze and Kobakhidze.” Gharibashvili also writes that Kobakhidze and Mdinaradze tried to accuse him of being behind the publication of an article in which a human rights defender criticised Kobakhidze. The rights defender later died by suicide. Gharibashvili is calling for the real cause of his death to be established and writes that questions remain about numerous suicides that occurred during the Kobakhidze-Mdinaradze period. More details here.

● Opposition figures have offered their interpretations of Gharibashvili’s letter.

• Khatia Dekanoidze and Nika Gvaramia interpreted the new letter as a reference to possible murders disguised as suicides.

• Irma Inashvili said Gharibashvili’s life is now in danger and requested a special protection regime for him.

• Overall, the comments point out that Gharibashvili does not directly accuse Kobakhidze and Mdinaradze of organising murders, and no evidence has been presented to support such a claim. However, Gharibashvili’s explanation for Mdinaradze’s departure from politics contradicts Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s account that Mdinaradze left politics because of psychological stress and exhaustion.

● Controversial arrest in Tbilisi of well-known businessman Tamaz Elizbarashvili, founder of a large shelter for stray dogs in the capital (pictured). He was detained during a search of his apartment. The Interior Ministry said Elizbarashvili is accused of disobeying a lawful police order, an administrative offence. Before his arrest, law enforcement officers searched Elizbarashvili’s car and apartment over allegations of threats and the illegal acquisition and possession of a firearm. Police were looking for a firearm, but there has been no information that anything was seized. Elizbarashvili described the police actions as intimidation and pressure on his family.

The previous day, Elizbarashvili wrote on Facebook that employees of the pro-government Imedi television channel had treated him rudely at a restaurant. Several people approached him and demanded an apology “for insulting Russians”. Elizbarashvili took his wife home and returned to the restaurant, but the people involved had already left. He later wrote on Facebook: “I am giving you until the end of the day to apologise.”

● Russian activist Denis Kulanin remains in Georgia despite being released from prison after receiving a presidential pardon. Kulanin was convicted of attacking a police vehicle during a pro-European protest in Tbilisi. He has a ticket for a September 2 flight to Yerevan, but has still not been released from the Interior Ministry’s Migration Department. According to his lawyer, the department says there is no final decision yet on whether he will be deported to Russia. The Interior Ministry has issued no official explanation. A rally in support of Denis Kulanin is being held outside the Migration Department. Participants are demanding that he be allowed to leave for a third safe country.

● Georgian Dream MP and chairman of the European Integration Committee Levan Makashvili described Iceland’s referendum, which resulted in the country rejecting EU membership, as a failure of Brussels’ policy. He compared Iceland’s decision with the ongoing standoff between the Georgian government and the European Union. Experts say the situations in Iceland and Georgia are not comparable. In Iceland, the credibility of the vote was not questioned, while in Georgia the opposition and much of society do not recognise the results of the latest parliamentary elections, and trust in the electoral process has become part of the political crisis.

● Parliament’s autumn session opened without debates or votes. The September 2 plenary session was devoted solely to political statements by MPs. According to Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, there will be no discussion of bills or voting this week. Papuashvili announced legislative changes and “major reforms” for the autumn session but did not name any specific bills.

● The body of a 20-year-old woman who had been reported missing was found in Svaneti. Her body was discovered in the mountains near Chalaadi Glacier. Her rented car had previously been found near the glacier. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

● According to Galt & Taggart, 4,475 apartments were sold in Tbilisi in July 2026, 21.4% more than in July last year. Georgian citizens accounted for 74% of buyers, followed by Israeli citizens at 11% and Russian citizens at 4%. In the first seven months of the year, the Tbilisi residential property market reached $2.5 billion, up 27.3% year-on-year.

● The value of Georgia’s hazelnut exports increased by 58% year-on-year to $188.5 million. The main market was the European Union, where more than 12,000 tonnes of hazelnuts worth $131 million were sold. This accounted for around 70% of total export value.

● New restrictions on vehicle noise at night have come into force. From September 1, the permitted noise level from moving vehicles in populated areas between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. is 80 decibels. The first violation carries a 100 lari fine and 10 penalty points on the driver’s licence. The fine is 200 lari for a second violation and 300 lari for a third and subsequent violations.

● Pipes found during the reconstruction of Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi will be tested for asbestos. Activists are raising money to send three samples taken from the pipes to a laboratory in Berlin. The testing and transport will cost around €600. The presence of asbestos in the pipes has not yet been confirmed. According to Tbilisi City Hall, the pipes belong to Silknet, and the issue will be referred to the company. Silknet has not yet published a response. Earlier, the Public Defender called on City Hall to determine the composition of the material and ensure the safe handling of possible asbestos.

● President Ilham Aliyev addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s “SCO+” summit in Bishkek. He said:

• A month ago, during my state visit to Bishkek, we signed a Treaty on Allied Relations, which brought relations between the two countries to their highest level.

• A little over a year ago, Azerbaijan and Armenia ended a conflict that had lasted more than 30 years by initialling the text of a peace agreement. The South Caucasus, a region long marked by conflict, is now becoming a region of peace.

• Four UN Security Council resolutions recognising Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, adopted in 1993, were implemented 30 years later, three years ago.

• Unfortunately, the UN played no role in implementing these resolutions. Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity entirely on its own.

• Implementing UN Security Council resolutions within a short timeframe requires the development of appropriate mechanisms. If this is achieved, it would strengthen the UN’s authority and its role in conflict resolution.

• Azerbaijan is already supplying petroleum products to Armenia and facilitating the transit of goods from third countries. Together with Armenia, we are working to increase the volume of bilateral trade, expand the range of goods traded and establish new land transport links.

● President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a brief conversation on the sidelines of the summit in Bishkek (video below). No details of the conversation were disclosed.

● The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Pakistan discussed strengthening bilateral partnership in Bishkek.

● Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Bishkek. They discussed expanding cooperation and the importance of continuing regular high-level dialogue.

● The Strategic Partnership Charter between the United States and Azerbaijan will provide a basis for expanding cooperation in economic development, investment and humanitarian ties, the US Embassy said in a social media post.

● Azerbaijan’s ambassador to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, sent a protest letter to the mayor of Paris over an exhibition dedicated to ethnic Armenians convicted of war crimes in Azerbaijan. The exhibition opens today, September 2, and is a joint initiative of Paris City Hall and the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organisations of France (CCAF). Photographs displayed outside Paris City Hall are presented as “portraits of Armenian prisoners held by Azerbaijan”. “Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan’s territory, while the country’s territorial integrity is recognised by the international community, including France and Armenia. […] In August 2025, a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was initialled at the Washington summit and a joint declaration was signed. […] The peace process has received the support of French President Emmanuel Macron and is based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity. “In this new context, […] the initiative once again presents a one-sided interpretation of the past and brings into the public sphere narratives incompatible with the spirit of the peace process launched between the two states. […] The ‘Armenian prisoners’ are accused of serious crimes against humanity, war crimes, terrorism and attempting to seize power by force. Among them is Ruben Vardanyan, who is on Ukraine’s sanctions list for financing the war against Ukraine. While France firmly supports Ukraine, it seems contradictory to us to demand the release of people with such a profile,” Abdullayeva wrote, calling on Paris City Hall to suspend the exhibition.

● Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and US company Comstock Resources, Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing a strategic partnership. Under the agreement, SOCAR will acquire a 20% stake in Comstock Legacy Haynesville assets, a 15% stake in Western Haynesville assets, and 15% of Comstock’s 73% stake in Pinnacle Gas Services LLC. SOCAR’s 15% stake in Western Haynesville assets is to be reduced to 7.5% once a 15% return on investment in these assets is achieved. The total value of the deal is $1.65 billion. The parties intend to complete the transaction by the end of this year.

● A meeting between Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Zhang Chuanjiang, head of China National Offshore Oil Corporation, was held in Baku. They discussed potential joint projects in the oil and gas sector and green energy, including energy projects in the Caspian Sea.

● Vugar Suleymanov, head of Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), met in Baku with a delegation led by Rotna But, director of ARMAC, the regional mine action centre operating under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. They discussed opportunities to expand international cooperation in humanitarian mine clearance.

● ANAMA Deputy Head Samir Poladov met in Baku with a delegation led by Eirini Lemos-Maniati, head of NATO’s Arms Control, Disarmament and Weapons of Mass Destruction Non-Proliferation Unit. They discussed cooperation on humanitarian mine clearance, which remains a serious problem in Azerbaijan. Samir Poladov said landmines prevent former internally displaced people from returning to their native lands liberated from occupation by Armenian forces during the Second Karabakh War, slow reconstruction and cause serious humanitarian, economic and environmental consequences.

● Anar Pashajanov, an employee of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, has been appointed World Bank Executive Director’s Adviser for Azerbaijan. He will also represent Azerbaijan at the International Monetary Fund.

● An explosion followed by a fire occurred overnight at an ammunition depot near Nizami village in the Goranboy district. Residents of nearby areas were evacuated. No casualties were reported.

● A new grandstand with 678 seats has been installed in Baku ahead of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. With the new stand, the total capacity of grandstands at the city circuit has exceeded 21,000. More than 90,000 spectators attended the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This year’s race will take place on September 25–27.

● Work is beginning to clean oil spills from the surface of the water in part of Baku Bay, within the waters of the Seaside National Park.

● A meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was held in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Pashinyan and Aliyev highlighted the historic significance of the August 8, 2025 Washington peace summit, the joint declaration they signed there in the presence of Donald Trump, and the initialling of the peace agreement. The leaders reaffirmed their intention to advance the normalisation of bilateral relations and develop transport links, and noted the important role of state commissions on border delimitation and positive bilateral contacts between parliamentarians and civil society representatives.

● The export of Azerbaijani petroleum products to Armenia, the transit of grain and other goods from third countries through Azerbaijan to Armenia, and the establishment of trade relations between the two countries were cited at the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting as important practical manifestations of peace-building.

● The leaders discussed practical steps related to the implementation of one of the key outcomes of the Washington peace summit — the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) — and stressed the importance of connectivity projects.

● The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan also held a brief conversation on the sidelines of the SCO summit.

● Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan: “In the coming days, you will learn that Azerbaijani companies have purchased goods from Armenian companies. Armenia will sell goods to Azerbaijan. That will already constitute bilateral trade.” So far, Armenia has only been an importer from Azerbaijan.

● 📌 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin today on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed a journalist’s comment that “Pashinyan’s visit to Bishkek is taking place against an ambiguous backdrop, with opposition arrests in Armenia and statements that relations between Yerevan and Moscow have changed.” “A great opportunity to discuss this at the highest level,” Peskov said.

● In Bishkek, Pashinyan met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They discussed plans to develop cooperation in various areas. Pashinyan reiterated his invitation to Modi to visit Armenia and said he was ready to visit India when convenient.

● The 6th World Nomad Games opened in Bishkek alongside the SCO summit. Athletes from Armenia are also taking part.

● Armenia could become the first customer for India’s Pinaka missiles with a range of 120 km, Indian Defence Research Wing reports. Yerevan has previously purchased Pinaka missiles with a range of 75 km. Serial production of the new missile is expected to begin in mid-2027 after testing.

● Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service published a report titled “Russia’s influence neutralised: Armenia finally turns away from Moscow and towards Europe”. “For years, Russia viewed Armenia as its outpost and proxy partner in the South Caucasus. But after another failed special operation called ‘interference in the Armenian elections’, Russia is finally losing its influence in the region. Pro-Russian forces suffered a crushing defeat in the parliamentary elections, and instead of the expected submissive apologies, the Kremlin received a firm distancing from Nikol Pashinyan and a shift towards the West,” the report said.

● Putin sent a telegram congratulating former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, who was arrested last week as part of an anti-corruption investigation, on his birthday. The Russian president wished him “strength in the face of adversity”, the Kremlin said. There is active discussion in Armenia over whether Putin will ask the Armenian authorities to release Kocharyan, with whom he is friends. More details here.

● Another member of the pro-Russian opposition has been arrested: Arsen Aghababyan, head of the Noyemberyan community and a member of the Country of Living party. No further details are currently available.

● A public committee has been established to defend businessman and pro-Russian politician Gagik Tsarukyan, who is in detention. “We are convinced that no citizen in our country should be subjected to politically motivated persecution or unlawful attacks on their property,” the committee said.

● President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies, who is completing his diplomatic mission in Armenia.

● As part of the Foreign Ministry’s annual working meeting, senior officials and Armenian diplomatic mission heads abroad, led by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, visited the Akhurik checkpoint on the Armenian-Turkish border and the nearby Akhuryan railway station on the Gyumri-Kars line. The importance of restoring and reopening the railway on this route was emphasised.

● Lydian Armenia, which is developing the Amulsar gold mine, has committed to investing $7–9 million annually in the development of communities located in the mining area. The relevant agreement was signed by the company and the Economy Ministry, with the mayors of Jermuk, Vayk and Sisian also signing the agreement.

● Human rights lawyer Siranuş Sahakyan, who represents Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan before the European Court of Human Rights, has filed a collective complaint with the court over alleged violations of their rights. The application argues that the trials of 15 Armenians conducted by Azerbaijan failed to comply with international fair-trial standards.

VIDEO: Clashes broke out in Yerevan’s Shengavit district between local residents on one side and police and city officials on the other. The authorities declared six residential buildings illegally constructed and sent heavy machinery to demolish them. Residents resisted, blocking a bulldozer with baby strollers and throwing stones at the machinery, demanding alternative housing. Police detained two people for resisting officers and damaging a police vehicle. One resident fell ill and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

● A meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was held in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Aliyev and Pashinyan highlighted the historic significance of the August 8, 2025 Washington peace summit and the initialling of the peace agreement in the presence of Donald Trump. The leaders reaffirmed their intention to advance the normalisation of bilateral relations and develop transport links, and noted the important role of state commissions on border delimitation and positive contacts between parliamentarians and civil society representatives.

● Aliyev and Pashinyan discussed further practical steps to implement the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).

● Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek. Pezeshkian thanked Aliyev for “the support provided to his country during a difficult period” and said Iran was interested in expanding relations with Azerbaijan in all areas. Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan supports resolving the situation around Iran peacefully and through negotiations. “Azerbaijan’s assistance under the circumstances Iran has found itself in is an example of brotherhood,” Aliyev said.

● The presidents of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan and Iran held an informal meeting in Bishkek.

● On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Aliyev met with the presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan.

● President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Azerbaijani athletes are also taking part.

● Turkish companies are interested in establishing production of renewable energy technologies and equipment in Azerbaijan. This was discussed at a meeting in Baku between the leadership of Azerbaijan’s renewable energy agency and a delegation from the Turkish-Azerbaijani Business Council. Turkish companies are already involved in several renewable energy projects, particularly in the Karabakh and Nakhchivan economic regions. Solar panels for power plants under construction in Nakhchivan are also being supplied from Türkiye.

● Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency (MEDİA) issued a strongly worded statement criticising the British newspapers The Independent and The Guardian and the BBC’s Russian service. It said recent articles about Azerbaijan contained “false information” and could be part of a targeted information campaign aimed at damaging the country’s international image. MEDİA said the publications were commissioned by “certain lobbying circles”.

● The 4th International Conference within the Baku Dialogue on Missing Persons will be held in Baku from October 7–10.

● The State Committee for Family, Women and Children is investigating an incident in Shirvan in which a child psychologist allegedly used physical force against a minor girl with autism spectrum disorder. The investigation was prompted by a widely circulated video on social media.

VIDEO: During his meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek, Ilham Aliyev noticed that he had been served Georgian mineral water Borjomi and offered Pezeshkian Azerbaijani Istisu mineral water from Kalbajar instead. “Try it, I brought it with me,” Aliyev said.

Aliyev treats Pezeshkian to Istisu mineral water in Bishkek

An interesting exchange took place during Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31, Report informs.

The Azerbaijani president invited… pic.twitter.com/YrwDOQJhit

— Report News Agency (@reportaznews) August 31, 2026

● The government is withdrawing a bill that would have created a state minister for regional policy. The post was intended for Mamuka Mdinaradze, who resigned as regional development minister and left politics. The Regional Development Ministry is again expected to be merged with the Infrastructure Ministry. A new bill on the structure of the government will be submitted to parliament during its next session.

● Parliament’s autumn session opened today, September 1. The first plenary session will be held on September 2. Only one plenary session is scheduled for the current session.

● The lawyer of former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who was convicted on corruption charges, has called on the Public Defender to visit him in prison and investigate possible rights violations. Lili Gelashvili said a long-term visit with his children was unlawfully cancelled, after he had not seen them for three months. The penitentiary service said Garibashvili had already used all his allotted long-term visits.

● Protesters were attacked by unidentified individuals during a demonstration outside the regional government building in Batumi. Witnesses said the attackers verbally and physically assaulted protesters and tore down posters reading “Russia is an occupier”. Protesters received emergency medical assistance at the scene. No information about the attackers or possible arrests was available at the time of publication.

● Three people have been detained in connection with the death of Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava in Tbilisi. A foreign national is accused of leaving him at home in critical condition without seeking help. According to investigators, she and Buava had used methadone together. Methadone and marijuana were found at the homes of the other two detainees. The exact cause of the blogger’s death has not yet been officially announced. His mother has arrived in Tbilisi, and the funeral will be held tomorrow, September 2.

● Russian activist Denis Kulanin, who was pardoned, will not be deported to Russia and will be able to leave for Yerevan, his lawyer said. Kulanin remains at a temporary immigration detention centre until his departure. He was serving a two-year sentence for damaging a police vehicle and was pardoned by President Mikheil Kavelashvili on August 28.

● Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili called Iceland’s vote against resuming EU talks a “failure of the current Brussels leadership’s policy”. In the August 29 consultative referendum, 47.2% voted in favour of resuming EU accession talks, while 52.8% voted against.

● Additional security measures for certain bank card transactions by customers aged over 60 came into effect on September 1. Transactions exceeding 500 lari will undergo enhanced checks if they involve currency exchange, investments, gambling or virtual assets, or if unusual user behaviour is detected. The service provider must temporarily suspend the transaction and contact the customer, who will have 48 hours to confirm it.

● Some 37,000 signatures supporting a legislative initiative for free school meals have been submitted to parliament’s procedural committee for verification. The initiative by the Voice movement calls for universal free meals in all public schools. At least 25,000 signatures were required for the bill to be considered.

📸 The migratory bird-watching season has opened in the Adjara region. Photo: Adjara Tourism Department.

● President Ilham Aliyev is heading to Kyrgyzstan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation “SCO+” meeting of leaders and events on the sidelines of the summit.

● Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry lodged a strong protest with Poland and summoned Polish Ambassador Paweł Radomski over the TV programme “East Express”, broadcast on Polish Public broadcaster TVP. “The programme featured biased, subjective and unacceptable statements about the Azerbaijani state and leadership, while the host behaved provocatively,” the protest note said. The Foreign Ministry stressed that “disseminating information that distorts the true situation at a time when a peace process is underway between Azerbaijan and Armenia raises questions.” Neither the Polish Embassy in Azerbaijan nor Poland’s Foreign Ministry has commented on the incident so far.

The programme said Azerbaijan is becoming an increasingly influential power in the South Caucasus, but that, according to Human Rights Watch, domestic repression is intensifying. It highlighted the arrest and lengthy prison sentences of journalists from Abzas Media, Meydan TV and Toplum TV. “This campaign is increasingly spreading beyond Azerbaijan’s borders, with critics living abroad also receiving sentences in absentia,” the programme said. According to human rights groups, there are currently 328 political prisoners in Azerbaijani prisons, around 20 of them journalists. The authorities deny the existence of political prisoners and say those detained have committed criminal offences.

● Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov is on a working visit to Türkiye, where he presented diplomas to Azerbaijani graduates of the Turkish National Defence University. The Turkish president attended the ceremony.

●  “As a result of the former Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, 4,010 Azerbaijani citizens are registered as missing,” presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev wrote on X on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared, observed on August 30. He said a state commission continues systematic efforts to locate them and stressed the importance of Armenia providing accurate information about the fate of missing Azerbaijanis, including the locations of their burial sites. To date, 32 mass graves have been discovered and the identities of 328 sets of remains established through DNA testing, Hajiyev said.

● A Dutch tourist who sustained serious injuries in a dog attack was rescued in a complex operation by the border service at an altitude of around 2,000 metres and in darkness and difficult mountainous terrain. The woman was reportedly hiking in the mountains of the Sheki district when she was attacked by a pack of dogs. She was airlifted to a hospital in Sheki with severe head and body injuries, where she underwent emergency surgery.

● Two Azerbaijani citizens were rescued from a passenger vessel that sank off the coast of Northern Cyprus. Eight people reportedly died, 240 were rescued and the search for 19 passengers is continuing.

● Amnesty International welcomed Georgia’s pardon of nine people convicted in protest-related cases, but said pardons cannot replace justice. The organisation called for an end to the misuse of legal mechanisms against demonstrators and for an independent investigation into possible violence by law enforcement officers.

It also noted that one of those pardoned, Denis Kulanin, was ultimately not released. The court kept him in a temporary detention centre for three months pending a decision on his possible deportation. According to his lawyer, Kulanin has agreed to leave Georgia for a third country.

● The Prosecutor’s Office arrested Ukrainian citizen V.K. on charges of leaving Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava in a critical condition. According to investigators, the two used methadone together at an apartment Buava rented in Tbilisi, after which she left him unconscious and did not call for help. A chemical examination confirmed the presence of methadone and alcohol in Buava’s body. The immediate cause of death has not yet been established. Two other people have been arrested in the same case on drug possession charges.

● The 37th “Saturday March” was held in Tbilisi as part of the pro-European protests that have continued for almost two years. The main slogan was: “Emigration is depriving the country of its future.” Organisers said more than one million citizens have left Georgia since 2012, when the ruling Georgian Dream party came to power. According to official statistics, more than 114,000 citizens emigrated from the country in 2025 alone. The ongoing pro-European protests began on November 28, 2024, after the authorities announced the suspension of Georgia’s EU integration process. Protesters are demanding a return to the path of European integration, early parliamentary elections and the release of detained protesters. Video podcast on the protests in Georgia here.

● The Education Ministry will allow 1,795 applicants to retake university entrance exams. They passed the minimum threshold in the national exams but failed to gain admission to their chosen programmes due to high competition. Registration for remaining vacant places at public and private higher and vocational education institutions will open in the first half of September. According to the ministry, the decision will apply only in 2026 and does not mean that the practice of re-registration is being permanently reinstated.

● Official school uniforms will be available only to first-graders at the start of the academic year. Parents can, however, order uniforms of the required design and standard elsewhere or from foreign websites. The Education Minister referred to an assessment by a Swiss evaluation company confirming the quality of uniforms produced under a government contract, but did not name the company or provide details of the assessment.

● A supposedly medieval pottery workshop and various artefacts were discovered during the reconstruction of Rustaveli Avenue near the Palace of Students and Youth. According to the chief archaeologist’s preliminary assessment, the find may date back to the 10th–12th centuries. Glazed pottery, clay vessels, glass fragments and jugs were discovered. The exact dating has not yet been established.

● Heavy rains caused problems in several parts of Georgia. In Tbilisi, the Mtkvari river embankment, the area around the Public Service Hall and parts of Sololaki were flooded. Streets were also flooded in Batumi and across the Adjara region. A swollen river in Lentekhi washed away a road bridge, while traffic has been restricted on the Sakdari–Lasdili and Ushguli–Lasdili sections. The Roads Department said a temporary bridge would be installed and tender procedures launched to build a new one.

● Two people were injured in an explosion at a petrol station in the village of Chitatskari, Zugdidi municipality. They were taken to hospital in critical condition. Several vehicles and buildings were damaged. The cause of the explosion is not yet known.

● A 31-year-old man died of an electric shock while fishing in the town of Sachkhere. According to reports, his fishing rod touched a power cable. He was taken to hospital, but doctors were unable to save him.

● The Interior Ministry detained an Azerbaijani citizen wanted by Interpol under a Red Notice at the Sarpi customs checkpoint while he was attempting to enter Türkiye. He was wanted by Azerbaijan on charges of hooliganism and intentional damage to property. Extradition proceedings have been launched.

● At the Judo Grand Slam in Lausanne, Ilia Sulamanidze won gold in the under-100kg category, while Guram Tushishvili won bronze in the heavyweight category.

● Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has travelled to Kyrgyzstan for a two-day visit. In Bishkek, he will attend the SCO+ meeting as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. During the visit, Pashinyan will also hold bilateral meetings with partners.

● Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “the decision on Armenia’s possible accession to the European Union should be made by Armenians themselves”, and that Russia is proposing that the Armenian authorities hold a referendum on whether people prefer to be part of the EU or the Eurasian Economic Union, led by Russia. Peskov said the issue could be discussed by Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan at their planned bilateral meeting in Bishkek.

● Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called “provocative” statements by Armenian Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan about Armenia’s readiness to accept a new wave of Russian citizens seeking to avoid being sent to the front. “In essence, he is encouraging Russian citizens to engage in unlawful activities and giving traditional Armenian hospitality a toxic political colouring,” Zakharova said.

● Iran has called for obstacles to trade and transit through the Norduz border crossing on the Armenian border to be removed. During a visit to the crossing, Hossein Forouzan, secretary of Iran’s High Council of Free and Special Economic Zones, said resolving the problems requires clear coordination among all government agencies operating at the border. Forouzan called on the relevant agencies to simplify trade and transit procedures, noting that reducing waiting times for freight vehicles is directly linked to the development of exports and imports.

● Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and heads of diplomatic missions and senior Foreign Ministry officials visited the Margara border crossing on the Armenian-Turkish border. During the visit, Eduard Hakobyan, chairman of the State Revenue Committee, spoke about the renovation and upgrading of the crossing, stressing that it is ready for operation.

● The same Foreign Ministry delegation visited an artificial intelligence factory in the city of Hrazdan, operating in cooperation with Firebird AI and NVIDIA. “Participants familiarised themselves with the opportunities created in the information technology sector, which is developing in Armenia at unprecedented speed,” the Foreign Ministry said. The role of the Armenia-US strategic partnership in unlocking the country’s innovation potential was emphasised.

● Jerusalem police detained four people suspected of spitting towards the grounds of the Armenian Patriarchate in the Old City. Three others were detained on suspicion of desecrating Muslim graves, The Times of Israel reports. According to local media, all those detained were questioned and later released with restrictions. They are accused of actions that could have posed a threat to public safety.

● Two people were injured after a fifth-floor balcony collapsed at a residential building in Yerevan. They were taken to hospital; one sustained a head injury.

Photo: “Heavy rains have turned Yerevan into Venice,” people wrote on social media, posting photos and videos.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 24-28 August, 2026