The Region in Brief

Armenia

During the first session of the newly-elected Council of Elders of Yerevan on October 10, the Civil Contract party nominee Tigran Avinyan was elected mayor of Yerevan with 32 votes in favor, five against, and zero abstentions. The Civil Agreement, Republic and Public Voice parties participated in the inaugural session of Yerevan Council of Elders, while the Mother Armenia and National Progress parties boycotted the session. 

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Security Council Secretary Ramil Yusubov has threatened Armenia with heavy losses, stating that every passing day without a peace treaty brings Armenia closer to even greater losses. “Political chaos, economic and social decline, a corrupt state apparatus, a crushed army and shameful defeat, and finally, civil conflict, mass emigration and other similar factors reflecting the tragedies of the Armenian people, indicate that Armenia is already facing an irreversible end—collapse,” Yusobov said, adding that signing of a peace treaty and demarcation of borders are now imminent for Armenia. Yusobov also stated that Azerbaijan has taken full control of the borders with strategic positions that may threaten Armenian security. 

Georgia

On October 8, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made an unexpected visit to Tbilisi and held a joint briefing with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. During the briefing, they highlighted the significance of bilateral economic and energy cooperation and discussed the possibility of Georgia hosting peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan in either a bilateral or trilateral format. Garibashvili reaffirmed Georgia’s recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, specifically regarding Artsakh.

Russia

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced on October 10 that the activity of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh will change due to recent events. Zakharova stated that the peacekeepers have already closed a number of stationary and temporary observation posts. Meanwhile, in an interview with Russian RBC news, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin reiterated the significance of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh and stated that the conflict has not reached its final resolution. 

In regards to the return of Armenian prisoners of war from Baku, Zakharova said that Moscow expects the problem will be solved successfully. Russia has called both sides to consider the principle of all-for-all and stressed that all norms of humanitarian law should be applied to all arrested persons. 

Turkey

In a speech on October 9, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced his demands and pre-conditions for the Armenian government to adopt a policy aimed at peace, security and welfare in the near future. Erdogan claimed that if Armenia keeps its promises, in particular the opening of the “Zangezur Corridor,” Turkey is ready to develop its relations with Armenia step by step. 

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Hoory Minoyan

Hoory Minoyan was an active member of the Armenian community in Los Angeles until she moved to Armenia prior to the 44-day war. She graduated with a master's in International Affairs from Boston University, where she was also the recipient of the William R. Keylor Travel Grant. The research and interviews she conducted while in Armenia later became the foundation of her Master’s thesis, “Shaping Identity Through Conflict: The Armenian Experience.” Hoory continues to follow her passion for research and writing by contributing to the Armenian Weekly.

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