Day: October 24, 2025

#SouthCaucasus Analysis: Mehdiyev arrest points to lingering Azerbaijani-Russian tension | Eurasianet eurasianet.org/analysis-mehdi…

On October 21, an international conference titled “The Caucasus, Central Asia, and Europe in a New Global Order” was held in the Austrian capital, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the Vienna Diplomatic Academy, and the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development, Azernews reports.

The Head of the State Agency for the Protection of Strategic Objects of Azerbaijan Sardar Safarov has been awarded the highest military rank of major general, Azernews reports.

Armenia, Iran discuss agreement on simplified customs corridor  Caliber.Az

A new head of the State Agency for the Protection of Strategic Objects of Azerbaijan has been appointed, Azernews reports.

Armenian Foreign Minister: Men Must Accept Women as “Equal Partners”  Hetq.am

Sanctions on Georgian officials

“We expect 1,000 to 2,000 Georgian officials and their family members to lose visa-free access to the European Union. You cannot attend Paris Fashion Week while the Georgian people are facing such hardships,” said Nacho Sánchez Amor, coordinator of the European Parliament’s foreign policy faction, in an interview with TV Pirveli.

He added that sanctions targeting a handful of senior officials would not improve the situation. Instead, he argued for a comprehensive list including politicians, members of the judiciary and prosecution, as well as leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Venice Commission urges Georgian authorities to repeal laws banning foreign funding

According to the commission, these laws could be used for political abuse

What Sanchez Amor said

“In my personal view, sanctions should target not only the highest-level officials but also those who persecute demonstrators and defenders of democracy. For me, this includes not just politicians, senior judicial and prosecutorial officials, but also high-ranking members of the penitentiary system.

I believe these measures should affect their circles. It is painful to see family members of those connected to the ruling kleptocrats—people who are destroying the country—attending Paris Fashion Week. This is unbearable.

You cannot attend Paris Fashion Week, flaunting the benefits you gain from belonging to a politician’s family, while the Georgian people endure these hardships. Protesters receive fines again and again, while these individuals enjoy the country’s wealth, living in luxury across Europe. This must end. Sanctions will only be effective if they are comprehensive.

We expect the European Commission to prepare a large list. I do not know if it will include 1,000 or 2,000 people, but the key point is that the list must be genuinely extensive.”

EU official: ‘People in Georgia face danger for expressing opinions’

Kaisa Olongren: “We must support those who want to join the EU”

Sanctions on Georgian officials