Georgia–EU Relations
Mdinaradze calls EU visa-free travel ‘the last bullet in the blackmail arsenal’
This is the latest in a series of statements by Georgian Dream regarding visa-free travel with the EU.
News Stories
Today, 25 April 2025
Today, 25 April 2025
Georgia
Zakharova questions the EU’s future while speaking about Georgia’s possible accession
Zakharova noted that the European Union is in crisis and may no longer exist by the end of the decade.
Georgia
Minister who called Ivanishvili ‘saviour sent by God’ resigns
Irakli Karseladze resigned amid ongoing personnel changes in the government.
Daghestan
Four Daghestanis accused of making explosives for planned attack
According to investigators, the suspects were planning an attack on a local police department.
Azerbaijan–EU Relations
Kallas meets with Aliyev during controversial visit to Baku
According to official readouts of meetings held, the EU’s energy cooperation with Azerbaijan was one of the biggest topics on the agenda.
Georgia
Georgia tightens entry rules for citizens of 17 countries
The list includes 12 African countries.
Armenia
White House omits the word ‘genocide’ on 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Some have claimed that President Donald Trump bowed to Turkish pressure in his decision to reverse Biden-era policy.
Georgia
Georgian Dream chair and ex-Prime Minister Gharibashvili announces exit from politics
Rely on OC Media? We rely on you too. Amidst the current global turmoil, small news outlets like ours could be the first to close. Help us get off grants and become the first reader-funded news site in the Caucasus, and keep telling the stories that matter. Become a member The chair of Georgian Dream and former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has announced his departure from politics. Speaking at a briefing in the ruling party office on Friday, Gharibashvili said he had ‘honor
Daily Brief
Friday, 25 April 2025
Armenia * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will embark on a working visit to Estonia from 27–28 April, during which he is expected to meet with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, President Alar Karis, Parliamentary Speaker Lauri Husar, and Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna, as well as representatives of Estonia’s Armenian community. Pashinyan and Michal are expected to discuss defence issues, opportunities to promote bilateral relations, and EU–Armenia relations, and will hold a joint press c
Yesterday, 24 April 2025
OC Insider
Under the red flag with a new design
On 22 April, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was met on Tiananmen Square by Chinese President Xi Jinping as Aliyev’s favourite song — ‘Homeland!’ (‘Ey Vətən!’) — played in the background. It was a message to the world that Xi was growing his club of authoritarian leaders. In their one-on-one meeting Xi stressed that China supports Azerbaijan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in continuing to follow a development path that suits its national
Chechnya
Body of slain teenage Chechen who attacked police ‘remains unburied’ for two weeks
His body remains discarded near a rubbish site at the local police station.
Georgia
Russian pranksters impersonate Garry Kasparov in conversation with Zourabichvili
Russian propagandist pranksters also spoke to Georgia’s former ombudsman, also impersonating Russian opposition figure Garry Kasparov.
Armenian Genocide
Conflicting messaging on Armenian Genocide as Armenia commemorates 110th anniversary
The Ottoman Empire’s early 20th century genocide resulted in the mass killings of nearly 1.5 million Armenians.
Georgia
After long delays, Georgia registers far‑right, pro‑Russian Alt Info’s new political party
Rely on OC Media? We rely on you too. Amidst the current global turmoil, small news outlets like ours could be the first to close. Help us get off grants and become the first reader-funded news site in the Caucasus, and keep telling the stories that matter. Become a member The Public Registry of Georgia has registered a political party of the pro‑Russian, far‑right group Alt Info Georgia. The decision, finalised on Wednesday, was announced by the group whose previous party was dis
Georgia
Opposition leader Vashadze’s bail set at $18,000 for failing to appear before anti-UNM commission
Most of the opposition politicians who were called to attend the commission’s session refused to participate.
Azerbaijan
Netanyahu set to visit Azerbaijan
The announcement comes amidst growing reports of a trilateral alliance between the US, Israel, and Azerbaijan.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 24 April 2025
Regional * The Armenian Defence Ministry has again accused units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces of opening fire towards Khoznavar village in the Syunik Province, damaging a residential house. This is the third time Armenia has blamed Azerbaijani fire for damaging structures in Khoznavar since 31 March. * Yesterday, a meeting was held between Abkhazian Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits and South Ossetian Ambassador to Abkhazia, Oleg Botsiev. The pair discussed the current state of Abkhazian–Sout
Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict
Armenia accuses Azerbaijani fire of causing damage in border village
Accusations by both sides have become commonplace since the announcement that both sides agreed to the terms of a peace treaty.
Reviews
Review | Cold as Marble — a disappointing erotic thriller from Azerbaijan
After a promising start, Azerbaijani director Asif Rustavmov’s sophomore film Cold as Marble comes to an unsatisfying climax.
Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Azerbaijan
China and Azerbaijan agree on a visa-free regime during Aliyev’s visit to Beijing
Azerbaijan also affirmed its non-recognition of Taiwan, and expressed its firm opposition to its independence.
Ingushetia
Detained Ingush imam accused of supporting terrorism publicly declares innocence
Muhammad Tamaskhanov delivered a sermon before hundreds of worshippers, naming the alleged reasons behind his persecution.
Armenia
MPs fight in Armenian Parliament over proposed bill increasing penalties for genocide denial
Denying the Armenian Genocide has already been criminalised for years.
Georgia
OSCE Secretary General meets Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze in Tbilisi
Ahead of the visit, critics urged OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu not to meet with government officials.
Daghestan
Driver hits police officer and opens fire on others in Daghestan
A driver in Derbent has reportedly hit a police officer with his car and opened fire at other officers before being killed.
Chiatura Manganese Mines
Chiatura Management Company says production will resume only under reorganisation conditions
Miners claim that the company is speaking in the language of ‘ultimatums’ and announcing ‘repressions’.
Chechnya
Kadyrov’s 17-year-old son becomes Secretary of Chechnya’s Security Council
Adam Kadyrov’s appointment as Secretary of the Security Council was not previously announced.
Abkhazia
Abkhazian opposition leader Ardzinba detained at Russian border
The move was seen by Abkhazian opposition figures as being politically motivated.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict
Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Simonyan says ‘no deadlock’ in peace talks with Azerbaijan
Alen Simonyan also revealed that he had met with his Azerbaijani counterpart in Saint Petersburg, Russia the prior week.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
‘He sold his soul’ — the North Caucasians going to war to make a living
Poverty and low wages make enlistment in Russia’s war in Ukraine a tempting offer for many in the North Caucasus.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Regional * Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan has revealed at a briefing with journalists that while in Saint Petersburg, he had a ‘short private conversation’ with Azerbaijani Parliamentary Speaker Sahiba Gafarova. His comments came in response to a question about whether the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan were at a deadlock, which Simonyan denied: ‘I think that there can be no talk of any deadlock. It is also beneficial for the Azerbaijani side to complete the pr
