Armenia

Bulgaria has gracefully stepped back from its candidacy to host the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), expressing a commitment to fostering successful cooperation within the Eastern European Group.

Türkiye has hailed a deal between arch-foes Armenia and Azerbaijan to swap prisoners of war and work toward normalizing ties torn by decades of strife over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Azerbaijan reclaimed the long-disputed enclave after a lightning offensive against Armenian separatists in September.

Arch-foes Armenia and Azerbaijan said Thursday they would exchange prisoners of war and work towards normalising their relations, in a joint statement hailed by the European Union and the United States as a breakthrough after three decades of conflict over disputed territory.

The Council of Ministers has greenlit a decision to extend humanitarian aid to Armenia in response to the country's plea for assistance through the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism.

A humanitarian grant of BGN 59,440 (around 30,000 EUR), facilitated by the Bulgarian Red Cross, has been allocated to support the population displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Türkiye's top security board (MGK) has reiterated Ankara's continued support to the efforts for reaching a lasting peace and stability in the Caucasus through a permanent deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the normalization process between Türkiye and Armenia.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held calls with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders yesterday to discuss stalled peace talks between the Caucasus rivals.

Washington, Brussels and Moscow have all been engaged in diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between the two countries, but a broad peace deal has remained elusive.

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis traveled to Brussels on Sunday to take part in the EU's Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday.

The meeting will focus on the crisis in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the European Economy Security Strategy, reported the Foreign Ministry.

The prolonged dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia has, on the whole, been settled, as the parties only need to implement additional tangible measures to completely restore and normalize their relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has intensified diplomatic efforts this weekend as he engaged in crucial discussions regarding the escalating crisis in Gaza.

Fidan embarked on a diplomatic mission, meeting his counterparts from Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Tehran on Oct. 23, during the South Caucasus Platform meeting.

On one of the roads leading to Armenia, the destination of those leaving, a column of hundreds of cars was formed, the BBC reports.
Azerbaijan says residents will be safe, but Armenia's prime minister claims "ethnic cleansing" has begun.
Nagorno-Karabakh, recognized as part of Azerbaijan, has been run by ethnic Armenians for three decades, according to the BBC.