Breaking
European Parliament Condemns Azerbaijan for Human Rights Violations, Urges EU to Cut Gas Dependency on Azerbaijan
- Condemns repression of activists, journalists and opposition leaders, at home and abroad.
- Emphasizes Azerbaijan’s abuses are incompatible with its hosting of COP29.
- Calls for the withdrawal of troops from Armenian territory.
- Highlights that Europe’s gas dependency on Azerbaijan must end.
- States that any future partnership agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan must be made conditional on Baku releasing political prisoners,
Human Rights Watch: Azerbaijan’s Gas Production Plans Threaten Paris Agreement Goals During COP29
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
Satellite Imagery Documents Erasure of Armenian Christian Heritage
By Jayson Casper
As archaeologists discover new ruins revealing the ancient origins of the church, new technologies reveal the extent of its destruction in neighboring Azerbaijan.
“There is clear intent to erase our heritage,” Deyirmenjian, Armenia representative for the evangelical Armenian Missionary Association of America, said. “While the world is busy, Azerbaijan wants to get rid of all evidence that Armenians are native to these lands.”
MEP François-Xavier Bellamy Delivers Strong Condemnation of Azerbaijan’s Actions
In an address to the EU Parliament, MEP François-Xavier Bellamy condemned Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions against the Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh. He called on Europe to confront its complicity and denounced the gas agreement with Azerbaijan, asserting, “If you believe in your legitimacy, why do you use violence?” Bellamy urged the international community to stand firmly with the Armenian people in their struggle for freedom, peace, and security.
“It is time for Europe to finally emerge from its ignorance. COP29 is not an opportunity; it is a scandal… a disgrace that tarnishes the very history of environmental commitment in a country from which we purchase gas.”
Anne-Laurence Petel, former Deputy of Aix-en-Provence and the Pays d’Aix (2017-2024), stated, “Yes, the COP29 is a disgrace; yes, the gas agreements must be denounced; yes, Europe must stand unequivocally with the Armenians.”
Armenian Civil Society Calls on COP29 Delegates to Hold Azerbaijan Accountable for Human Rights, Environmental Crimes, and Demand Peace and Justice in Climate Talks
- Emphasizes civil society’s critical role in climate talks, yet Armenian organizations can’t attend COP29 in Baku due to anti-Armenian policies.
- Criticizes COP29’s location in Azerbaijan, a state funded by fossil fuels that violate international law, citing ethnic cleansing and occupation.
- Warns of Azerbaijan’s control over Armenian resources, impacting forests and water access.
- Calls for the release of Armenian captives and Azerbaijani political detainees. Highlights Azerbaijan’s “greenwashing,” masking environmental harm through climate initiatives.
International Organizations Alarmed by the Fate of Artsakh’s Cultural Heritage
The “Geghard” Scientific Analytical Foundation has addressed concerns in an article regarding the fate of Artsakh’s cultural heritage, emphasizing the need for concrete and targeted actions by international organizations to prevent Azerbaijan’s policy of cultural destruction.
Armenian Churches Urge the World to Pray for Hostages and Pursue Truth and Justice
H.H. Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians has called on people worldwide to join in prayer on November 10 for the release of Armenian hostages and for lasting peace in the region. This global prayer, supported by the World Council of Churches (WCC), will focus on raising awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis following recent conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh and the forced displacement of thousands of Armenians.
Baku Sham Court Rejects Appeal for Ruben Vardanyan’s Release
Azerbaijan’s Sham court has denied an appeal challenging the pre-trial detention of Ruben Vardanyan, the former Minister of State of Nagorno-Karabakh, who remains unlawfully detained in Baku.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
“September 19: A Black Day for Our Family” – A Mother’s Heart-Wrenching Reflection on Loss
Venera Hovsepyan, a mother from Artsakh, recalls the tragic loss of her son Mkhitar during the 44-Day War and the subsequent suffering of her family following Azerbaijan’s genocide in September 2023.
“On September 19, our day turned black again. We were forced to leave everything behind, and the pain of losing my son continues to haunt us every day.”
Photo of the Week
Deputy CEO Nisha Biswal of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) honours the victims of the Armenian genocide during her visit to Armenia, highlighting a commitment to acknowledging historical injustices while exploring development opportunities.
Photo Courtesy of U.S. Embassy in Armenia.
Security
EU Considering Extension of Its Mission in Armenia, Says Armenia’s FM
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated in Parliament that the EU is considering extending its civilian mission in Armenia. He emphasized the need for a neutral third party to assess potential actions by Azerbaijan until a peace treaty is signed and the delimitation process is underway.
US Secretary of State and Turkish Foreign Minister Discuss the Importance of Achieving Just and Durable Peace in South Caucasus
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke Thursday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The two discussed the importance of achieving a just and durable peace in the South Caucasus, with increased interconnectivity that would benefit all in the region.
Economy
National Science Foundation Explores US-Armenia Collaborations to Foster Scientific Innovation and Growth
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is dedicated to fostering innovative ideas and enhancing research competitiveness. During a recent meeting with delegates from Armenia, discussions centred on potential collaborations between the U.S. and Armenia, including the establishment of a US-Armenia Science Foundation to promote scientific advancement and partnership.
Netflix to Film Several Series in Armenia
“The film industry is a rapidly developing branch and, in this regard, we already have signed memoranda with Netflix,” Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan said at a parliamentary committee hearing on the 2025 state budget.
Sixth Meeting of Armenia-EU Partnership Committee on Trade Addresses Wide Range of Issues
The sixth session of the Armenia-European Union (EU) Partnership Committee on Trade was held in Brussels on October 24-25, chaired by Marco Düerkop from the EU and Deputy Minister Narek Hovakimyan from Armenia. Discussions focused on trade issues under the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), including Armenia’s transition from the “Cognac” geographical indication and EU support for Armenian industry competitiveness. The meeting concluded with the signing of a decision on dispute settlement to enhance ongoing trade cooperation.
Opinion
Joe Biden Throws Climate, Peace, Democracy under the Bus in Azerbaijan
By Michael Rubin
Azerbaijan continues to put the finishing touches on Baku ahead of the COP29 international climate conference. Host governments treat the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference much like they treat the Olympic Games or FIFA World Cup: Not only do they rake in tourist dollars as delegates and visitors pack hotels and five-star restaurants, but they also rebrand themselves for the international audience.
Cop29 Host Azerbaijan Set for Major Fossil Gas Expansion
By Damian Carrington
Azerbaijan, the host of the Cop29 global climate summit, will see a large expansion of fossil gas production in the next decade, a new report has revealed. The authors said that the crucial negotiations should not be overseen by “those with a vested interest in keeping the world hooked on fossil fuels”.
Trump’s Comments about ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ Leave Armenians ‘Cautiously Optimistic’
By Brady Knox
Former President Donald Trump and his allies’ denouncement of Azerbaijan‘s “ethnic cleansing” of Armenian Christians has left much of the diaspora “cautiously optimistic.”
Army of Bots Promotes Petrostate Hosting Global Climate Talks
By Maxine Joselow
At least 1,800 fake accounts on the social media platform X are praising Azerbaijan, a major oil and gas producer, according to an analysis shared with The Washington Post.
Silencing Peace: Aliyev Maintains Ban on Discourse in Azerbaijan
By Tatevik Hayrapetyan
In recent speeches, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has once again started employing inflammatory language, calling Armenians the “treacherous enemy,” “bloodthirsty enemy”, “Armenian vandals,” “Armenian savages”, and that “Armenians have shown their barbarism”. While such rhetoric is not new for Aliyev, who has for decades used hate speech against Armenians, what stands out now is his full return to warlike propaganda after a brief period of restraint, fueling aggression, and animosity and promoting war.
Azerbaijan, EU Human Rights Feud Escalates as COP29 Looms
By Gabriel Gavin
The host of next month’s U.N. climate talks is warning Western politicians and NGOs not to criticize its internal affairs.
