Month: April 2026

Members of the Turkish-American community gathered in Times Square on Sunday to protest New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement of the Armenian Genocide.

They also protested his views on the recent conflict in the region known as Artsakh to Armenians and Nagorno-Karabakh. The demonstration, supported by various Turkish associations, was a response to a social media post shared by Mayor Mamdani on April 24.

Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, arguing that the Mayor’s characterization of history and the recent geopolitical developments in the region is inaccurate. The organizers stated that as a public official representing a diverse city, Mayor Mamdani’s remarks risk alienating the Turkish-American community.

The controversy stems from a post by Mayor Mamdani on X, where he stated:

Turkey refuses to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide

The dispute centers on fundamentally different interpretations of the events that occurred between 1915 and 1923. While the vast majority of international historians and many nations classify the systematic killing and deportation of Armenians as genocide, Turkey maintains a firm policy of non-recognition.

For Armenians and many international scholars, these events are a documented reality of systematic ethnic cleansing that led to the near-total removal of the Armenian presence from their historic homelands in Anatolia.

This historical narrative is deeply linked to the modern-day struggle over Artsakh, a region Armenians consider their ancestral heartland, while Azerbaijan asserts its sovereign right over the territory, which it refers to as Nagorno-Karabakh.

In recent years, the momentum generated in the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia has brought the sides closer to permanently overcoming a conflict that lasted for around three decades. Since 2020, new geopolitical realities have emerged, creating a tangible basis for the conclusion of a peace agreement between the parties. Within this context, mutual steps such as ongoing discussions on border delimitation, the reopening of communications, and the establishment of diplomatic relations are all signs of real progress. Hence, the current moment represents a historic opportunity to establish sustainable peace between the two nations, urging not only responsible conduct from political representatives but also a constructive and peace-oriented approach on the broader, societal level. Ensuring long-term regional stability carries strategic significance for all stakeholders, both in terms of economic development and security. Accordingly, at the current stage, the principal objective of both sides must be the formalization of de facto peace within a legal and institutional framework – namely, the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement, writes Dr. Matin Mammadli, Head of Department at the Baku-based Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center).

Nevertheless, despite various positive signals, several factors continue to exert a negative influence on the peace process. In particular, the growing activity of revanchist forces in Armenia and the reintroduction of rhetoric associated with the former conflict present serious risks. These circles demonstrate reluctance to accept existing realities and attempt to instill unrealistic expectations within society. By considering the political platforms of the main opposition forces ahead of the upcoming June elections, their public statements, and their affiliations with certain external centers of power, it becomes evident that the situation remains highly complex. It should also be emphasized that the ideology of revanchism prioritizes the restoration of the former status quo rather than regional integration, thereby posing a threat both to regional stability and to Armenia’s own developmental prospects. Moreover, recent statements by certain Armenian officials have contradicted the peace agenda which Yerevan has officially been supporting. Such inconsistent messaging undermines trust between the parties. In this regard, remarks by the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Alen Simonyan, are particularly noteworthy. He called for the release of individuals affiliated with the former illegal separatist regime, currently detained in Baku ¹ and whose crimes have been validated through judicial proceedings. At the same time, he voiced unfounded allegations concerning the “destruction” of Armenian heritage in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan. These assertions are not only detached from reality but are also devoid of legal and political substantiation. The individuals in question have been held accountable for specific crimes in accordance with both international legal norms and the domestic legislation of Azerbaijan. Their activities were in violation of not only Azerbaijani law but also of international humanitarian law.

Despite certain unconstructive claims by Armenian officials, the Government of Azerbaijan has for now adopted a pragmatic and restrained position. This approach is primarily aimed at preserving the peace process and preventing renewed escalation in the region. At the same time, Azerbaijan possesses sufficient legal, political, and moral grounds to bring claims against Armenia as a state, as well as against individual Armenian political and military leaders, before international judicial bodies. This legal reality can be summarized as follows: Armenia bears responsibility, both as a state and through individuals accused and convicted of grave offenses, for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations committed in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan. It is well documented that during the occupation, large-scale destruction was carried out in Azerbaijani territories, material and cultural heritage was looted, and the Azerbaijani population was subjected to ethnic cleansing. These facts have been reflected in reports produced by various international organizations and expert groups specializing in international law ². Undoubtedly, such acts constitute serious violations of international law, and are rightly characterized as war crimes and crimes against humanity. As noted earlier, the former representatives of the illegal separatist regime currently detained in Baku have been prosecuted precisely for their involvement in these crimes. In this regard, calls for their release contradict fundamental legal principles and bear the character of political manipulation.

Within Azerbaijani society, legitimate questions arise as to why, despite the scale of these crimes, Armenia has not been brought before international courts and why more stringent legal measures have not been undertaken. These concerns stem from a sense of justice and historical memory. However, the state’s approach must be evaluated within a broader strategic framework. The Azerbaijani leadership recognizes that long-term peace cannot be achieved solely through legal measures but also requires sustained political dialogue and the gradual development of mutual trust. At the same time, Azerbaijan’s restraint also has its limits. Should Armenian officials continue to rely on unfounded and non-constructive rhetoric, the peace process would be seriously undermined. In such a scenario, Azerbaijan may be compelled to adopt more decisive legal and political measures. It must also be noted that Armenia is currently undergoing significant internal political processes, including an electoral period. Consequently, certain statements may be interpreted as populist rhetoric aimed at a specific domestic audience. However, jeopardizing the peace process for internal political purposes is neither prudent nor rational and may ultimately prove detrimental to Armenia and its national interests in the long term.

In conclusion, the successful outcome of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia depends in large part on responsible conduct and a constructive approach from both sides. Failing to seize the present historic opportunity could generate new security risks for the region. While misleading and unfounded rhetoric may yield certain politicians in Armenia short-term political dividends, it poses a serious threat to the prospects of achieving sustainable and resilient regional peace. In this context, the Armenian political elite, in particular, must adopt a more balanced and responsible position which aligns entirely with the peace agenda. The instrumentalization of the peace process for domestic political competition risks weakening ongoing normalization dynamics and eroding the trust that has been achieved to date. Azerbaijan, for its part, continues to pursue a policy grounded in international law, prioritizing the pursuit of regional stability. However, the sustainability of this policy is contingent upon reciprocal and adequate conduct by Armenia.

1 https://oc-media.org/yerevan-says-release-of-armenian-prisoners-key-to-genuine-reconciliation-with-baku/

2 Letter to UNSG on war crimes report A-74-676 Eng.pdf

https://www.eureporter.co/armenia-3/2026/04/29/the-path-to-peace-between-azerbaijan-and-armenia-remaining-risks-and-challenges/

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus fully supports further deepening cooperation between the European Union and Armenia, European affairs deputy minister Marilena Raouna said. She spoke at the European Parliament’s plenary on strengthening Armenia’s democratic resilience on Tuesday.

Support for closer EU-Armenia ties

Raouna said the cooperation is based on shared values and a vision for a stable, democratic and prosperous Armenia and a stable South Caucasus. She described democratic resilience as a core commitment of the EU toward both member states and neighbouring countries.

Recent progress and upcoming summit

Raouna said EU-Armenia relations have made significant progress in the past two years since the European Council’s call to strengthen relations in all dimensions, laying the foundation for new cooperation. She said the first EU-Armenia summit will be held next week in Yerevan.

Meetings and strategic agenda

Raouna said the summit sends a strong message on Armenia’s importance as a regional partner of the EU, with President Nikos Christodoulides scheduled to meet Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to bilateral cooperation. She highlighted the EU-Armenia strategic agenda as a clear roadmap for cooperation and cited investments of approximately €270 million through the resilience and development plan to strengthen Armenia’s resilience amid external pressures.

Disinformation concerns and elections

Raouna warned that disinformation campaigns can undermine trust in democratic institutions and said Armenia’s parliamentary elections on June 7 have the potential to be a defining moment for the country. She said that in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, strengthening partnerships with countries that share the same values remains a key priority.

Armenia, Turkey discussing reconstruction, commissioning of transborder railway – Armenian Foreign Ministry

YEREVAN. April 28 (Interfax) – Armenian and Turkish representatives have held a meeting of the working group on the resumption of bilateral rail service, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Based on the agreements reached within the Armenia-Turkey normalization process, the meeting of the Armenia-Turkey joint working group on rehabilitation and operationalization of the Gyumri-Kars railway was held in Kars on April 28, 2026,” the statement said.

The sides stressed the importance of commissioning the Gyumri-Kars railway as soon as possible in the context of expanding transport infrastructure in the region, it said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy to Armenia has described the working group meeting as “historic progress toward a peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus.”

“Restoring this critical link between Armenia and Turkey is an important step in unlocking regional connectivity and solidifying regional stability. The August 8 Washington summit hosted by President Trump set the stage for such momentous developments. U.S. embassy in Yerevan welcomes these concrete steps toward reopening economic and people-to-people links between Armenia and Turkey,” the embassy said.

There are no diplomatic relations between Ankara and Yerevan, and the bilateral border has been closed since 1993 at Ankara’s initiative. Special representatives of Yerevan and Ankara have been holding negotiations since 2022 in order to reopen the border and to normalize relations. Flights between the two countries are available.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, U.S. President Donald Trump and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a declaration in August 2025, saying that Yerevan will be working together with Washington and certain third countries on the framework of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project on Armenian territory. The project envisages the construction of road, rail and oil-and-gas infrastructure. The TRIPP will connect the main part of Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Armenia along a 42-kilometer road, and then farther on to Turkey.

The Armenian Student Association (ASA) commemorated the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Dexter lawn Friday evening.

Members of ASA gathered around a prototype of the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and a map of old Armenia to honor the victims and express their love for ASA.

City Councilmember Mike Boswell, who is a professor and chair of the City and Regional Planning Department at Cal Poly, began the event with a proclamation declaring April 24 as “Armenian Remembrance Day.” 

Boswell called the memorial “beautiful” and said he was happy to attend as both a councilmember and a member of Cal Poly’s faculty. As a councilmember, he wanted to exemplify the city’s commitment to inclusion. As a faculty member, he wanted to be there for his fellow students.

“I love all my students,” Boswell said. “It’s important to listen to them.”

Marine Hunanyan, a business administration junior, is co-president of ASA. She believes the memorial was important to educate others on the genocide, which claimed the lives of as many as 1.5 million Armenians from 1915 to 1916, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia.

“Something like this should never just be a page in a history book,” Hunanyan said.

Hunanyan also wanted the event to be a chance for members of ASA to express thanks for what the association means to them. For her, ASA helped her to find people of similar culture and heritage at a predominantly white institution.

“I didn’t really know what it meant to be Armenian until I got here, and it was around people of the same culture who looked like me and were around the same age as me. I never had that,” Hunanyan said.

After opening remarks by Councilmember Boswell and ASA’s second co-president, Thomas Sargsyan, an English junior, attendees took turns sharing what ASA meant to them. Many, like Hunanyan, were thankful for a space on campus to explore their identity as Armenians, but many non-Armenians were also grateful for the community they found.

Sargsyan was proud of how many non-Armenian members of the organization came and shared what they may not be able to elsewhere. He called it “fantastic.”

“For ASA, this means that we are doing a great job at reaching out to people outside the small community of Armenians at Cal Poly and spreading awareness about something that many people do not know much about,” wrote Sargsyan in an email to Mustang News.

Diego Calusdian, an Armenian electrical engineering sophomore, also appreciated the number of non-Armenians who came and shared their experiences. He thinks it “shows the love” of ASA.

“I think the point of non-Armenians is kind of even more important because it kind of shows the community solidarity and support for the Armenian community,” Calusdian said.