European Parliament calls on Azerbaijan to open Lachin corridor

The MPs call on Azerbaijan to immediately open the Lachin Corridor. This is stated in a joint statement by the head of the European Parliament delegation for relations with the countries of the South Caucasus, Maria Kalyurand, Permanent Rapporteur for Armenia, Andrey Kovac, and Permanent Rapporteur for Azerbaijan, Zeljana Zovko. 

European officials are concerned about Azerbaijan’s establishment of a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor of Nagorny Karabakh, which could lead to negative consequences and be considered a violation of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, as well as the decision of the International Court of Justice. The deputies recall that Azerbaijan’s blockade of the corridor is causing humanitarian difficulties for the Armenian population of Karabakh, and the establishment of checkpoints further aggravates the situation.

Последние новости
Tbilisi and Brussels Exchange Accusations Over Legal Proceedings to Ban Opposition
Politics
Tbilisi and Brussels Exchange Accusations Over Legal Proceedings to Ban Opposition
20 October 2026

The Georgian Foreign Ministry has criticized statements made by the European Union regarding legal proceedings that could lead to the banning of five opposition parties. The ministry issued its response following comments made on October 19 by European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand.
Friend of missing Chechen woman fined 150,000 rubles in Grozny
Human rights
Friend of missing Chechen woman fined 150,000 rubles in Grozny
20 October 2026

The Akhmatovsky District Court of Grozny has imposed a fine of 150,000 rubles on Lena Patyayeva, who has been campaigning for an investigation into the abduction and disappearance of her friend, Seda Suleymanova—a native of Chechnya. This was announced by the court’s press service.
General Lapin, called ‘incompetent’ by Kadyrov, becomes deputy prime minister of Tatarstan
News
General Lapin, called ‘incompetent’ by Kadyrov, becomes deputy prime minister of Tatarstan
19 October 2026

On 19 October 2026, the State Council of Tatarstan approved the appointment of Colonel General Alexander Lapin as deputy prime minister of the republic. Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov signed the appointment decree the same day. Lapin had previously been appointed acting deputy prime minister on 29 September 2026.
The dispute between Baku and Yerevan over the issue of landmines has reached a photo exhibition in Rome, though only one side is represented.
Politics
The dispute between Baku and Yerevan over the issue of landmines has reached a photo exhibition in Rome, though only one side is represented.
19 October 2026

On October 17, a photo exhibition opened in Rome as part of a "World Without Mines" campaign, organized by the Azerbaijani public association "Gilavar Photo Club." The exhibition focuses on the threat posed by landmines following the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia—a threat for which the organizers hold Yerevan responsible.