Five years after Canada cancelled military export permits to Turkey over Canadian-made technology used against Armenians in Artsakh, Prime Minister Mark Carney has signed a new defence cooperation agreement with Erdoğan. On October 22, the two leaders unveiled a Canada–Turkey Strategic Partnership, expanding cooperation in defence, energy, trade and aviation. What changed—and what safeguards are in place? 🧵 1/5

Ishkhan Saghatelyan Reaffirms Determination to Continue the Political Struggle Despite Political Pressure, the ARF Secures a Significant Number of Votes in Local Elections --- The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has reported notable electoral support in four communities following Armenia's October 25 municipal elections, despite allegations of political pressure and intimidation during the campaign. Ishkhan Saghatelyan, representative of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia and a lawmaker from the opposition Armenia Alliance, presented the party's results and reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the political struggle. In Tsaghkadzor, the ARF secured 449 votes, approximately 15.4% of the total. In Martuni, the party received 2,053 votes, approximately 11.2%, while in Artashat it secured 2,925 votes, or 10.6%. In Hrazdan, the party received 1,736 votes, approximately 9.2% under preliminary electoral figures. Saghatelyan thanked voters for supporting the ARF under what he described as unprecedented political pressure and widespread persecution. He also expressed appreciation for the party's local structures, candidates and campaign teams. He emphasized that the ARF viewed its participation in the municipal elections as part of a broader effort to maintain political mobilization and organizational unity ahead of future nationwide contests. Saghatelyan maintained that meaningful political change in Armenia would require the removal of the current ruling party from power. The ARF's participation in these elections underscores its intention to maintain a visible grassroots presence, strengthen local structures and remain actively engaged in the country's opposition movement.

Senior UNESCO official says she is unaware of reports of Armenian church destruction in Artsakh --- A senior UNESCO official has said she is unaware of reported cases involving the destruction of Armenian churches in Artsakh, raising further concerns over international efforts to safeguard the region’s endangered cultural heritage. Jyoti Hosagrahar, Deputy Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, made the remarks on October 26 during an international gathering at the Matenadaran in Yerevan. Questioned by News.am about reports of damage and destruction affecting Armenian religious monuments in Artsakh, Hosagrahar said she could not comment because she was unfamiliar with the cases. When the journalist raised additional reports of vandalism, she ended the exchange, saying she had to leave. Her response has renewed questions about the international community’s awareness of the threats facing Armenian cultural and religious sites in territories now controlled by Azerbaijan. Since the forced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenian population in September 2023, concerns have persisted over the future of historic churches, monasteries, cemeteries and other monuments central to the region’s Armenian identity. The preservation of these sites remains an urgent issue, particularly as independent international access and verification continue to present challenges. The remarks do not establish UNESCO’s institutional position, but they highlight the need for greater transparency, monitoring and concrete international engagement to safeguard Artsakh’s Armenian cultural heritage.

Azerbaijan demands Armenian apology as presidential adviser questions durability of peace agreement --- BAKU – Azerbaijani presidential adviser Hikmet Hajiyev has called on Armenia and Armenian society to apologize to Azerbaijanis displaced during the conflict, introducing another contentious demand into the ongoing peace process. Speaking on October 26, Hajiyev said Armenia should apologize to Azerbaijanis who have been unable to return to their former homes for approximately three decades. He maintained that Azerbaijan was not seeking revenge but insisted that additional steps were necessary to establish lasting peace. Hajiyev also warned that a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan could be signed yet remain little more than a document unless it produced tangible results. The remarks come as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government continues to prioritize the formal signing of a peace treaty with Baku. Despite Yerevan’s stated readiness to move forward, Azerbaijan continues to raise demands, including constitutional changes in Armenia. Hajiyev’s latest comments add to concerns about the increasingly asymmetric expectations surrounding negotiations, particularly in the absence of comparable commitments toward the rights and safe return of Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh in 2023. For Armenia, the central question remains whether the peace process can establish reciprocal obligations and durable security guarantees, rather than becoming a framework through which Baku continues to introduce new conditions. The latest Azerbaijani statements are likely to intensify domestic scrutiny of the Armenian government’s negotiating strategy and its ability to safeguard national interests.

🇨🇦 🇦🇲 Engage Armenia brings its forum to Toronto and Montreal! --- Engage Armenia is coming to Canada for three events highlighting opportunities for Diaspora Armenians to connect with and contribute to their homeland. Featuring speakers and representatives from various Armenian organizations, the forums will explore opportunities in volunteering, education, entrepreneurship, professional development and community engagement, offering practical ways to make a meaningful impact in Armenia. 📍 Toronto: October 22 | 6:30 PM – Armenian Youth Centre, Hamazkayin Theatre 📍 Montreal: October 24 | 1:30 PM – AGBU Montreal 📍 Montreal: October 25 | 2:00 PM – Sourp Hagop Armenian School, Pastermajian Hall Discover opportunities, build connections and take an active role in Armenia's future! 🔗 Register at engagearmenia.org

Mirzoyan admits third-country efforts to free Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan have failed --- YEREVAN— Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has acknowledged that attempts to involve third countries in resolving the fate of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan have failed, while insisting that Yerevan continues working for their release. Speaking to reporters on October 21, Mirzoyan said Armenia had approached foreign governments for assistance. Some refused to become involved, while others were reportedly told to stay away. He did not identify the countries or specify who had discouraged their intervention. Mirzoyan maintained that the government’s efforts to secure the prisoners’ release have never stopped, but declined to guarantee a breakthrough because the outcome does not depend on Armenia alone. He also acknowledged that their continued detention undermines efforts to establish peace. Nineteen Armenian prisoners remain in Azerbaijani custody, including former political and military leaders of Artsakh. They have received sentences ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment following proceedings marked by serious due-process and human rights concerns. Their situation has become increasingly troubling since the International Committee of the Red Cross was forced to close its Azerbaijan mission in September 2025. The absence of independent humanitarian access has intensified concerns over detention conditions, prisoners’ welfare, contact with their families and access to legal representation. The European Court of Human Rights has also required Azerbaijan to provide information concerning the prisoners, amid continuing efforts by their legal representatives to secure independent monitoring. Despite ongoing diplomatic normalization between Yerevan and Baku, the prisoners’ fate remains unresolved. Mirzoyan’s remarks offer no indication of an imminent release and leave unanswered what further measures Armenia and its international partners intend to pursue.

Opposition mayoral candidate among 14 arrested in Stepanavan days before elections STEPANAVAN— Armenian authorities arrested 14 people, including opposition Strong Armenia mayoral candidate Arsen Gevorgyan, during early-morning raids in Stepanavan on October 21, just four days before municipal elections. Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee says its investigation, based on information gathered by the National Security Service, uncovered evidence of alleged vote-buying linked to the opposition party’s electoral campaign. The allegations have not been established in court. Strong Armenia condemned the raids as politically motivated, accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration of using state institutions to intimidate political opponents ahead of the vote. Party representatives maintain that the arrests are intended to disrupt their campaign and undermine voters’ ability to make a free choice. They have also challenged the authorities’ use of footage collected during the investigation. The Anti-Corruption Committee confirmed that 14 people were arrested and searches conducted as part of the criminal proceedings. Opposition representatives and Armenian media identified Gevorgyan among those detained. The October 25 election will determine the composition of Stepanavan’s municipal council under a proportional voting system. Four parties are contesting the race: Civil Contract, Strong Armenia, Republic and Businessman. The timing of the arrests has intensified concerns about the electoral environment and the use of law enforcement during a political campaign. The vote-buying allegations require an impartial investigation, while those arrested remain entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process.

Azerbaijan bans 31 Turkish citizens as tensions with Ankara deepen --- BAKU— Azerbaijan has prohibited 31 Turkish citizens, including politicians, journalists and religious commentators, from entering the country, marking an unusual escalation in tensions between two longstanding strategic allies. In a statement issued October 21, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry declared the individuals undesirable, alleging that their statements on social media and other online platforms threatened the country’s sovereignty, national security and constitutional order. The ministry also cited alleged calls for the forcible overthrow of the government and incitement to religious hatred, without providing specific examples involving individual persons. Those barred include Fatih Erbakan, leader of Turkey’s New Welfare Party; Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, a member of parliament from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party; and Yahya Uğraş, a senior official of HÜDA-PAR. Journalists, writers and religious figures also appear on the list. The decision follows a growing dispute over school dress regulations introduced in Azerbaijan in September. Although the rules do not explicitly mention Islamic headscarves, reports of girls being denied access to classrooms while wearing hijabs have triggered protests and criticism from Turkish political figures. President Ilham Aliyev’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party has accused Turkish politicians of interfering in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs. Differences over Baku’s close relations with Israel have added to the friction. Turkey and Azerbaijan maintain deep military, political and economic ties, repeatedly describing their relationship as “one nation, two states.” Ankara’s support has been particularly consequential in Azerbaijan’s military campaigns against Armenia and Artsakh. The entry bans do not necessarily signal a rupture between the two governments, but they expose unusually public disagreements within an alliance long presented as virtually inseparable.