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

Armenia’s Karen Aslanyan Defeats Azerbaijani Opponent to Claim World Wrestling Gold --- ASTANA - Armenian wrestler Karen Aslanyan has been crowned world champion after defeating Azerbaijan’s Nihat Zahid Mammadli in the final of the 63 kg Greco-Roman competition at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. Aslanyan secured an impressive 8–4 victory on October 27, claiming the gold medal and adding another major achievement to Armenia’s international sporting record. The Armenian wrestler advanced to the championship bout following a commanding 12–4 semifinal victory over Bulgaria’s Edmond Nazaryan on October 26, setting up the highly anticipated final against his Azerbaijani rival. Following his triumph, Aslanyan celebrated with the Armenian tricolour alongside members of his coaching team. The gold medal marks a significant milestone in Aslanyan’s wrestling career. A three-time European Championship bronze medallist, he has now added a world championship title to his accomplishments. The World Wrestling Championships are taking place in Astana from October 24 to November 1.

Mirzoyan Does Not Rule Out TRIPP Launch Before Armenia–Azerbaijan Peace Treaty Is Signed Hayastan faction (Armenia Alliance) says it will vote against the agreement, warning of risks to sovereignty and the absence of enforceable reciprocity guarantees. --- YEREVAN — Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told parliament on October 27 that the TRIPP transport project could begin operating before Armenia and Azerbaijan formally sign a peace treaty, raising fresh opposition concerns over Yerevan’s negotiating leverage. Responding to a question from Narek Karapetyan of the Strong Armenia faction, Mirzoyan acknowledged that such a scenario was possible. Karapetyan warned that once Azerbaijan secures a route connecting its mainland to Nakhichevan, Baku may have little incentive to sign the treaty or open comparable routes for Armenia. Mirzoyan noted that the peace treaty has already been initialled and argued that economic interdependence could consolidate what he described as peace on the ground. He insisted TRIPP would not operate on a one-sided basis and that Armenia would also gain access to routes crossing Azerbaijan. During the debate on ratifying the Armenian–US framework agreement, Mirzoyan said the company established to implement TRIPP would be 74 per cent US-owned and 26 per cent Armenian-owned for an initial 49-year period. He maintained that Armenia would retain sovereignty and jurisdiction, including border and customs controls. Hayastan faction leader Anna Grigoryan announced that her faction would vote against the agreement, arguing that Azerbaijan’s interests were more clearly reflected in its provisions than Armenia’s expected benefits. ARF Bureau member and MP Lilit Galstyan warned against treating TRIPP as merely an economic initiative without accounting for its security implications, long-term development rights and the lack of clear legal safeguards. The opposition questions what binding guarantees would ensure reciprocal access for Armenia, particularly while Baku continues to attach conditions to signing the peace treaty. Only three of 27 MPs seeking to question the minister were able to do so after debate was limited to two hours.

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