Day: January 17, 2026
Armenian Speaker on Relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan
“I express my gratitude to the Turkish Foreign Minister and all our regional partners who support the position of the majority of Armenian society, calling for peace, trade, and the development of this trade within the framework of the TRIPP [Armenian-American transit project],” said Alen Simonyan, Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, during a briefing.
The day before, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke about the political will of the leadership of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey to resolve regional issues. He also mentioned the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia.
“Parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia in early June. This will be an important stage. At present, we see that, according to polls, Mr. Pashinyan is leading. We genuinely support his constructive role in addressing regional issues. It is essential that this political line and will continue,” Fidan said.
The Armenian Parliament Speaker emphasized that Fidan’s comments should not be seen as an “attempt at external interference” in Armenia’s affairs, as some local media and experts have suggested. He welcomed Fidan’s statement.
“Peace in the region has become a reality. We have mutually closed the page of enmity, and we must strengthen this peace,” Simonyan said.
During the briefing, Alen Simonyan also addressed the upcoming summer elections, the “Trump Route,” and the narrative regarding “Western Azerbaijan.”
Key points from the Armenian Parliament Speaker’s briefing below.
- Is normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations possible without Baku?
- Pashinyan says Armenia’s normalisation with Turkey is nearing
- Ararat to be removed from Armenia’s border stamps – bowing to Turkey?
“We will win a majority in the upcoming elections”
The Speaker of the National Assembly confirmed that the ruling Civil Contract party has approved its candidate list for the upcoming elections. He noted that selecting candidates was a challenging process, with each session lasting six to eight hours.
The final list includes both well-known figures and newcomers.
“Almost 400 people applied to be included on the Civil Contract party list. This shows that people understand the party will win a majority in the upcoming elections. There is no need to give anyone bonuses for that,” he said, responding to accusations that pre-New Year bonuses for MPs and government members were a form of “pre-election maneuvering.
“The U.S. will ensure security for 49 years” — on the TRIPP project
Speaking about the “Trump Route” project (TRIPP), Speaker Alen Simonyan emphasized that the agreement has been signed for at least 49 years. This means that “for at least 49 years, the United States will, to a considerable extent, help ensure the security of Armenia’s borders and territory.”
TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) is a road that will connect Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory.
For several years, Yerevan and Baku could not reach an agreement on this issue. Azerbaijan demanded the provision of a road it called the “Zangezur corridor.” Armenian authorities responded that they were ready to unblock all roads but did not agree with the term “corridor,” which implies a loss of control and sovereign rights over the territory.
Only on 8 August, in Washington, the parties agreed that the road would remain under Armenia’s sovereign control, with the U.S. acting as a business partner in the unblocking process. The project was subsequently named the “Trump Route” after the mediator.
“TRIPP is a security system not only because we are starting to trade [with Azerbaijan], which strengthens peace. The United States has its own interests here. In addition to other partners — European and Russian, who have economic interests here — the U.S. also has a stake,” Simonyan explained.
The Speaker reminded that Armenia had previously followed a different approach:
“We were friends with a single center. And that center, when it suited them, or when they had other priorities, used us as a bargaining chip.”
Now, he said, Armenia is pursuing a different policy, building relationships with its nearest neighbors and establishing alliances with various countries, including members of the European Union.
“Don’t you notice the changes?” – on the ‘Western Azerbaijan’ narrative
Journalists expressed concern that Armenian authorities continue to speak of established peace in the region, while the President of Azerbaijan personally funds the promotion of the “Western Azerbaijan” narrative.
Baku began actively promoting the “Western Azerbaijan” narrative in December 2022, which effectively refers to the entire sovereign territory of Armenia. Armenian authorities, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, have repeatedly stated that there can be no “Western Azerbaijan” on Armenian territory. According to him, the term can only apply to the western part of Azerbaijan itself.
The Speaker of the National Assembly responded that it is naive to assume any political narrative in Azerbaijan could exist without the knowledge of the head of state. He added, however, that he does not have information regarding funding.
Regarding the spread of the “Western Azerbaijan” narrative and claims about returning Azerbaijanis to “the homeland of their ancestors,” Simonyan said the Armenian leadership is aware of these statements and is engaging with the Azerbaijani side:
“These statements are changing. Compare the statements of their president, his aide, and the foreign minister from 3–4 years ago with today. Don’t you notice the changes?”
The Parliament Speaker acknowledged that problems remain, but emphasized that peace has been established and must be preserved:
“Of course, Azerbaijan takes certain negative steps, and we make this clear to them.”
Новости в Армении
Meydan TV Trial in Azerbaijan
On 16 January, another court hearing in the “Meydan TV case” was held at the Baku Court on Serious Crimes in Azerbaijan. The proceedings, chaired by Judge Ayten Aliyeva, began in a tense atmosphere.
The tension stemmed from the fact that the 11 defendant journalists were not given the opportunity to speak.
Protest was also sparked by the conduct of convoy officers, who positioned themselves in front of the glass enclosure holding the defendants, obstructing the view of the journalists for those present in the courtroom, including their lawyers. Following the protest, most of the convoy officers moved away from the glass enclosure.
On 6 December 2024, Meydan TV staff members Ramin Deko (Jabrailzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgünesh), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmedova (Tapdyg), Khayala Aghaeva, and Natig Javadli were detained.
They were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy), and the criminal case against them became known as the “Meydan TV case.” Later, journalists Shamshad Agha, Nurlan Libre, Fatima Movlammly, Ulviya Ali, and Ahmed Mukhtar were also arrested in connection with the case.
In August 2025, the charges against the journalists were tightened, and additional articles were added to the case.
Meydan TV states that the arrests are linked to the outlet’s critical reporting on the authorities.
At the previous hearing, Judge Ayten Aliyeva announced the completion of the investigation and the start of the trial proceedings. At the same session, the floor was given to the state prosecutor to read out the final indictment.
The indictment consists of 600 pages, and the prosecutor was able to read only part of it in more than an hour.
After defense lawyers protested the excessive length of the proceedings, the judge ordered the hearing to be adjourned.
As a result, the current hearing began with the continuation of the prosecutor’s reading of the indictment.
Here is a clear, accurate English translation in a news-reporting style:
“I am starting a hunger strike”
One of the arrested journalists, Nurlan Libre, protested the fact that the trial began with a statement by the state prosecutor, saying that he himself had something to say. In response, presiding Judge Ayten Aliyeva sharply ordered him to “Sit down!”, prompting protests from the defendants.
Journalist Fatima Movlammly then stood up and addressed the judge, saying, “You cannot speak to us like that.” At that moment, another judge rudely shouted at Movlammly, “Hey, child!”
Fatima Movlammly continued her protest and told the judge:
“Rather than being an elderly person like you and issuing false rulings, it is far more dignified to be young, to write the truth, and to end up here.”
She also addressed Judge Ayten Aliyeva, saying:
“You are nothing more than a judge issuing politically motivated rulings.”
Fatima Movlammly’s statements were met with applause from those present in the courtroom.
Nurlan Libre then wrote in his notebook that he was beginning a hunger strike and showed the note to those present in the courtroom.
After Fatima Movlammly’s statement, he began explaining to those in the courtroom the reasons for his decision.
The journalist said that during the previous court hearing he injured himself in protest. According to him, he was treated roughly at the time, and after his hands were bandaged, he was handcuffed behind his back. While being taken from the courtroom to the detention facility, he was forced to remain standing the entire time.
“After I was taken to the Baku pretrial detention center, I was immediately placed in solitary confinement. The conditions there were extremely poor. I had no access to medical assistance. There was no soap or hygiene supplies. The bed and bedding were also very dirty,” he said.
Libre also stated that he did not want to participate in today’s hearing, but was forcibly removed from his cell and brought to court.
According to the journalist, before being taken to court he was fully stripped under the pretext of a search, and two pages of notes he had prepared for the next hearing were confiscated.
He said that he is not allowed to meet privately with his lawyer at the Baku detention center, violating his right to confidentiality. He also stated that when he attempted to inform his relatives about the violations of his rights, his phone call was cut off.
Libre added that he is escorted everywhere in handcuffs.
“Stripping a person during a search is degrading treatment. This is done to exert psychological pressure on me. Orders for the systematic violation of my rights in the detention center are given personally by the head of the facility, Elnur Ismailov.
I demand the implementation of the European Parliament resolution calling for the release of journalists. In protest against the pressure being exerted on me, and in demand of the release of my colleagues arrested in the AbzasMedia, Toplum TV, and Meydan TV cases, I am beginning an indefinite hunger strike,” Nurlan Libre said.
Judge’s restrictions on courtroom attendees
The hearing, which began at 14:30, continued until 17:00 and was entirely devoted to the state prosecutor reading the final indictment.
When it became clear that the prosecutor had reached only page 350 of the document, defense lawyer Javad Javadov suggested speeding up the reading, stating: “The text being read by the state prosecutor contains many repetitions. At the very least, these could be skipped.”
The lawyer’s request was supported by the defendants and other defense attorneys. Following this, the judge announced that repeated sections would not be read aloud and that the reading of the indictment would be completed during this session.
During the prosecutor’s statement, those present also noticed that one of the judges had fallen asleep.
Another cause for protest was the presiding judge Ayten Aliyeva’s ban on attendees leaving and then returning to the courtroom.
When defense lawyer Bahruz Bayramov addressed the dissatisfaction of someone in the room regarding this rule, Judge Aliyeva sharply demanded that the lawyer sit down and did not allow him to continue.
In response, detained journalist Aytaj Tapdyg stood up and, protesting, told the judge: “Speak properly with our lawyers.”
Journalist Shamshad Agha also protested the judge’s ban on attendees leaving and re-entering the courtroom. He argued that such a restriction was unlawful and asked on what basis it had been imposed.
Defense lawyer Rovshan Ragimli filed a motion requesting that attendees be allowed to leave the courtroom and return:
“Some relatives of the defendants have health issues, and others have traveled a long distance to attend the trial. The proceedings are very long. Conditions should be created so they can step out to meet natural needs and get some fresh air, and then return.”
The judge, however, rejected the motion. Following this, Shamshad Agha again protested, addressing Judge Ayten Aliyeva:
“This is a technical matter. Why are you handling technical matters? Allowing attendees to leave and return does not disrupt the proceedings, and the convoy officers can ensure their exit and re-entry.”
His question, “What are you doing?!” drew outrage from the judges.
After the ensuing commotion, the judge announced that the hearing would be adjourned. The next court session is scheduled for 30 January.
Новости в Азербайджане
The dynamics of energy transportation in the Caspian region have been gradually acquiring new meaning in recent years. As volatility in global energy markets intensifies, one of the foremost priorities for both producer and transit countries has become the sustainability and flexibility of export routes. In this context, the growing volumes of Kazakh oil transported via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline should be seen not merely as a logistical adjustment, but as a tangible outcome of regional energy cooperation. The expectation that 1.6 million tons of oil will be shipped from Kazakhstan’s Aktau port through BTC in 2026 is a concrete indicator of this evolving partnership.