The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the completion of the formal steps necessary to launch direct trade operations between Ankara and Yerevan, part of the process of establishing bilateral relations that began in 2022.

Fuad Gahramanli, an Azerbaijani opposition figure, sharply criticized the government of Ilham Aliyev. The reason was the ban imposed on Ali Karimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), who was unable to attend his father's funeral.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan lashed out at the opposition forces, accusing them of lacking independence and dependence on external leadership.

The National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament) of France adopted a resolution on the situation in Georgia, harshly criticizing the actions of the current Georgian authorities and outlining the conditions for the country's further progress toward European integration. The document was supported by 68 members of parliament to 28.

Among the top priorities of the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, may be facilitating the release of citizens detained during recent protests. This possibility was raised by Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate's public relations service.

Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan assured that Yerevan has no plans to sever relations with Russia and called for avoiding unnecessary dramatization of the disagreements arising between the countries.

A major fire broke out in a multi-story building on Umar Sadaev Street in Grozny. Several people were injured, and over 300 residents were forced to evacuate their apartments.

Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Fourth Department of the CIS Countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry, emphasized Russia's special role in the South Caucasus in an interview with TASS. According to him, Russia is not just a neighbor, but "the most Caucasian power," for whom the region is "vital."

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will not attend the EAEU summit, which will take place on May 28-29 in Astana. He stated that the election campaign prevents him from leaving the country.

Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), previously the acting locum tenens of the patriarchal throne, has been elected the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. According to the BBC Russian Service, 22 of the 39 members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church voted for him.