OSCE Minsk Group Formally Dissolved as of September 1

Driving the news:

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed to RFL/RL Armenian service that the OSCE Minsk Group has been dissolved as of September 1.

Details:
• The ministry said it received a letter on September 1 from the OSCE’s acting chair, Finland’s foreign minister, confirming the decision.
• The letter stated that the default procedural deadline for objections passed without any member state blocking the move.
• As a result, the decision on dissolving the Minsk Group process and related structures is now considered adopted.

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Aliyev Pushes “Zangezur Corridor” at SCO Summit; Pashinyan Rejects Wording

Driving the news:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said the “Zangezur Corridor” will soon become an important part of both the Middle Corridor and the North-South Corridor. He made the remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, according to Azerbaijan’s state news agency Azertac.

Why it matters:

Aliyev said the route through Armenia would benefit “all of Azerbaijan’s neighbors, both near and far.”

What they’re saying:
• Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who also attended the summit, pushed back:
“The vocabulary used by the President of Azerbaijan is not perceived by us in the logic we agreed upon in Washington,” he said, effectively responding to Aliyev’s remarks.

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Pashinyan, Erdogan Meet on SCO Summit Sidelines

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, according to Armenia’s government press service.

Details:
• The two leaders highlighted the importance of steps aimed at establishing stability and peace in the region.
• They stressed the need to maintain constructive approaches to foster mutual trust and develop regional communications.
• Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue.

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Pashinyan, Aliyev Discuss Peace Agenda

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to discuss the peace process between the two countries, according to an official release.

Details:
• The leaders underscored the need for constructive dialogue, mutual trust, and regional stability.
• Both sides highlighted the positive momentum following the recent Washington summit, calling it evidence of international support for advancing peace and normalization.
• They agreed to continue contacts.

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Azerbaijani Authorities Destroy Armenian Alphabet Monument in Stepanakert

On the Day of Knowledge and Education, the Azerbaijani authorities demolished a monument to the Armenian alphabet located in the yard of School No. 1 in occupied Stepanakert, according to the Artsakh Tourism and Cultural Development Agency.

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Catholicos of All Armenians Marks Artsakh Independence Day With Call for Unity

Driving the news:

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II issued a message on the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Artsakh, urging Armenians to face present challenges with faith and resilience.

What he’s saying:
• Karekin II called on Armenians to resist defeatism and opportunism, and to remain devoted to the idea of peace.
• He appealed for intensified efforts to defend the rights of the displaced people of Artsakh, safeguard Armenia’s centuries-old spiritual and cultural heritage, and secure the return of captives.
• The Catholicos stressed unity to strengthen statehood, protect territorial integrity, and preserve Armenian identity and national values.

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President: Artsakhis Not Ready to Give Up Right of Return

Driving the news:

At the opening of the “Call of Artsakh” memorial in Yerevan’s Yerablur, Artsakh leader Samvel Shahramanyan said Artsakh Armenians will not renounce their right to return to their homeland.

What he’s saying:
• “The issue of our return to the Homeland stems from international law, and we are not ready to abandon it. An Artsakhi has the right to return to his homeland, his home, his graves and holy sites,” Shahramanyan said.
• He called for negotiations on the right of return and noted that the Swiss parliament had initiated such a possibility, expressing hope that with the involvement of global powers, a safe and dignified return could be discussed.
• Shahramanyan criticized the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, saying it was the only internationally mandated mechanism to address the conflict. “Forced displacement of Artsakhis became possible under conditions where the Minsk Group was dissolved,” he said.
• On Armenian POWs, Shahramanyan said Yerevan assures Artsakh leadership through various channels that efforts for their release are ongoing, but he stressed visible results are still lacking.
• He also voiced hope for support from international partners, including mediation by U.S. President Donald Trump.

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Aram I: “Artsakh must not be buried under the dust of history”

Catholicos Aram I issued a message on the Day of Independence of the Republic of Artsakh, urging Armenians worldwide to preserve hope and fight for Artsakh’s future.

Driving the news:
• Aram I recalled the sacrifices made 35 years ago, when Armenians fought for Artsakh’s independence, with martyrs giving their lives.
• He said Artsakh has been subjected to ethnic cleansing, its churches and cultural monuments targeted, and its population forcibly displaced.
• He characterized the loss of Artsakh as a “planned and consistent genocide” under international law.

Why it matters:
While acknowledging that Artsakh has lost its independence today, Aram I emphasized that hope for its restoration remains alive. He pointed to the changing nature of history and geopolitics, suggesting conditions could shift in favor of Artsakh’s sovereignty in the future.

What he’s saying:
• “Yes, today we lost Artsakh. But we have not lost and will not lose hope for its restoration.”
• “Artsakh must not be buried under the dust of history: the faith and will of the Armenians of Artsakh to live freely must turn into daily determined struggle.”
• Quoting the Bible (Romans 5:5): “Hope does not disappoint.”

The big picture:
Aram I called on Armenians to:
• Remember martyrs who died for Artsakh’s independence.
• Stand with prisoners held in Baku’s jails.
• Support displaced Artsakh Armenians’ right to return.

He closed with a blessing: “May God protect the people of Artsakh under His heavenly care. May He safeguard the Armenian nation and the Republic of Armenia.”

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Artsakh lawmakers demand Yerevan put prisoners and displaced Armenians on negotiation table with Baku

Driving the news:
The National Assembly of Artsakh has called on Yerevan to include the release of prisoners and the return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh in its negotiations with Baku.

The appeal was read by MP Metakse Hakobyan during an Independence Day rally.

Why it matters:
Lawmakers stressed that the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group includes protecting the rights of the people of Artsakh. They argued that dissolving the group without creating effective mechanisms and guarantees for these rights is unacceptable.

What they’re saying:

“The Artsakh issue is not resolved, the question of Artsakh is not closed, because the recognition of genocidal actions and the legitimization of their consequences cannot be considered a final outcome — neither under international written or unwritten norms, nor in legal or moral terms,” the statement said.

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Azerbaijan Begins Demolition of Artsakh Foreign Ministry Building on Independence Day

Azerbaijani authorities began demolishing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in occupied Stepanakert today, coinciding with the date Armenians mark as Artsakh’s Independence Day.

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Suicide attempts reported among Armenian detainees in Baku prisons after ICRC visits halted

Driving the news
Among Armenian prisoners held in Baku prisons, there have been reported suicide attempts, according to human rights lawyer and international law expert Siranush Saakyan, cited by RFL/RL Armenian service.

Why it matters
These incidents underscore the gravity of the prisoners’ mental and emotional distress, especially given the loss of oversight following the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)’s suspension of visits. The ICRC’s last such visit occurred in June, and the organization’s delegation in Azerbaijan was ordered to close on September 3, 2025, by government decision .

What they’re saying
Saakyan noted the information came from detainees’ relatives, who were recently able to contact them by phone. She clarified that those who attempted suicide were not members of the Artsakh military-political leadership, but other detainees, whose identities remain undisclosed .

The big picture
Following the ICRC’s withdrawal, responsibility for detainee communication has transferred to Azerbaijani authorities—a change that Saakyan links directly to the reported crises. The cessation of independent oversight raises serious concerns about detainee welfare and transparency .

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Lavrov says initial enthusiasm over Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal turned to skepticism

Driving the news:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement, saying the initial excitement that followed its announcement has since shifted to skepticism.

What they’re saying:
“It was decided to conclude it on the territory of the United States. This is the sovereign right of our neighbors,” Lavrov said. “But we need to see how this agreement will work, because all the enthusiastic reactions heard in the first few days after the meeting in Washington somehow gave way to skeptical assessments once the document was published. And, as it turns out, far from everything has been agreed upon.”

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Armenia’s FM Warns Peace With Azerbaijan Won’t Solve All Issues — Prisoners Still Unresolved

Driving the news
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan — even one imminent — will not mean peace is fully achieved.

What they’re saying
• “Even if we sign a peace treaty soon, we still cannot say that everything is over.” Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized during a National Assembly session.
• “For now, the parties are not firing at each other, the risk of escalation is minimal.”
• Regarding prisoners: “Unfortunately, we still do not have a complete and final resolution … despite previously having a publicly declared commitment from the Azerbaijani side to release all of them.”

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Palestinian Foreign Minister Becomes Target of Ethnic Smear Over Armenian Background

Driving the news:
Dr. Varsen Ohannes Vartan Aghabekian Shahin, the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, has been subjected to a defamatory campaign rooted in her Armenian heritage.

What they’re saying:
• A member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Dr. Huthaifa Abdalla, posted on social media: “Imagine the Foreign Minister of Palestine being named Varsen Aghabekian Shahin. Find even one Arab name in hers — and win ten thousand dollars!”
• Representatives of the Armenian diaspora condemned the post, calling such discriminatory and insulting comments unacceptable.

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Parliament Speaker: Transit Talks Should Prioritize Opening Routes, Not Border Formalities

Driving the news:
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan addressed questions about whether Armenians traveling through Azerbaijan would encounter Azerbaijani border and customs officers. He said the principle of reciprocity applies, but argued that the focus should remain on opening transit routes as quickly as possible.

What they’re saying:
• Simonyan pushed back on the framing of the question: “I don’t like your way of thinking. I’m not blaming you personally, but I don’t like your way of thinking.”
• He stressed reciprocity but added: “We shouldn’t think that way… Azerbaijan believes—rightly or wrongly—that Armenia occupied 20% of its territory for 30 years. It’s clear Azerbaijan wants to prevent any possible future threats, even decades from now.”
• Citing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent remarks, Simonyan said Aliyev doesn’t want Azerbaijani citizens to face Armenian officials when transiting Armenia. He described this as an attempt to minimize sensitive contacts during a fragile phase of rebuilding trust.
• “That doesn’t mean in five or ten years there will still be a need for it,” Simonyan added, expressing confidence Armenians and Azerbaijanis will eventually interact freely and even trade with each other.
• Asked again whether Armenia would demand minimal contact for its own citizens transiting Azerbaijan, Simonyan gave no clearer answer, saying instead: “Our priority is to open communications as soon as possible. We are confident this issue is not as acute and will be resolved quickly.”
• He reassured that no dangerous goods could pass through Armenia undetected: “It’s impossible for, say, a bomb to be transported through Armenian territory without our authorities knowing.”

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Levon Ter-Petrosyan: Control of Zangezur Transport Hub Must Rest Solely with Armenia

Driving the news:
Former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan urged using the term “Zangezur transport hub” instead of “Zangezur corridor,” saying the latter causes public concern. He insisted that control over this hub be exercised exclusively by Armenia. According to him, Armenia can still guarantee uninterrupted political and economic access for interested states under international law. He called for active cooperation from its strategic partners: Russia, the U.S., and Iran. Ter-Petrosyan also argued that issues between great powers are generally easier to resolve than between smaller states, citing past crises and arms reduction agreements to illustrate.

What they’re saying:
• Ter-Petrosyan: “Control … must be exercised exclusively by Armenia.” He rejects the “corridor” phrasing and instead prefers “transport hub.”
• He believes Armenia is capable, under international law, of ensuring smooth operation for other states’ political and economic interests through the route, while retaining sovereignty.
• He expects strategic partners—Russia, the U.S., and Iran—to cooperate, regardless of their disputes.

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Azerbaijan Shoots and Arrests One of the Few Remaining Armenians in Stepanakert

Driving the news
Azerbaijani police arrested ethnic Armenian Karen Avanesyan in Stepanakert, wounding him during the operation, according to Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry.

The ministry told the APA news agency that Avanesyan was detained “when he tried to approach the venue of an event in Stepanakert with an assault rifle.”

What they’re saying
• Azerbaijani outlets, citing police, claimed Avanesyan “showed armed resistance” during the arrest and was shot before being taken into custody, RFE/RL’s Armenian service reported.
• American journalist Lindsey Snell countered those claims, writing: “Azerbaijan shot and arrested one of the few Armenians in Stepanakert today. They say he was planning an attack, but one of the last people in Stepanakert post-exodus told me during official visits, Armenians are rounded up and held under armed guard. Today was such a visit.”

The big picture
Few Armenians remain in Stepanakert following last year’s mass deportations. Reports of arrests during official visits raise concerns that those left behind face intimidation and targeting under Azerbaijani control.

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Armenia and Turkey Hold Sixth Round of Normalization Talks in Yerevan

Driving the news
Armenia’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan and Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kılıç, the special envoys for normalization, held their sixth meeting in Yerevan, according to Armenia’s Foreign Ministry.

What they’re saying
• The envoys reaffirmed agreements reached in earlier rounds, aimed at advancing full normalization of relations.
• They discussed implementation of a July 1, 2022 agreement on opening the border and pledged to accelerate the process.
• The two sides agreed that relevant agencies will conduct technical studies to restore and operate the Gyumri–Kars railway and power transmission line.
• They also committed to boosting cultural and academic cooperation, including student scholarships and the joint restoration of the historic Ani/Silk Road bridge.
• The envoys agreed to facilitate new airline routes starting in summer 2026, expanding flight connections between the two countries.

The big picture
Both representatives underscored their commitment to continue the process without preconditions.

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Armenia to Remove Mount Ararat Image from Border Stamps in November

Driving the news
Starting November 1, 2025, Armenia’s entry and exit border stamps will no longer feature the image of Mount Ararat or any other details unrelated to border control, according to a government decision.

Why it matters
The change was approved by the Cabinet on September 11 as part of a package of items not subject to debate. The new stamps will contain only information directly linked to border crossings.

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Catholicos Karekin II Raises Artsakh Armenians, POWs in Meeting with Pope Leo XIV

Driving the news
Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, met Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo today. During their conversation, Karekin II brought up the plight of Armenians displaced from Artsakh, the risk to Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage there, and the urgent need for the release of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijan. He also invited the Pope to visit Armenia.

What they’re saying
• According to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Karekin II expressed confidence that relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church “will continue to develop in the same fraternal spirit and warmth, leading to new and good joint achievements.”
• He recalled historical points of cooperation.

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