CIVILNET

Democracy Watch | The standoff in Etchmiadzin and the instrumentalization of law enforcement

By Tigran Grigoryan In recent days, the confrontation between Armenia’s ruling party and the Armenian Apostolic Church has reached a new level of escalation. On December 17, a group of bishops–who had earlier publicly demanded the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II and had also met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan–issued a statement  [https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/327873?fbclid=IwY2xjawO021FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsNzF1SEo4WE1SRjJFYXduc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuu9Xa2RewpqBNvjzsOWRnVdHUUFCl7zDd7ZIIzlyldC93QEnuKDsI489aZV_aem_IlD4JQRNwoDNwKhbCAlb4g]calling on the public to gather the following day, December 18, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to demand the Catholicos’s resignation. Shortly thereafter, the Aragatsotn Diocese, which has remained loyal to Catholicos Karekin II, announced [https://news.am/arm/news/921004.html] that the joint prayer service scheduled for December 18 would no longer take place at St. Hovhannes Church in Byurakan. Instead, it would be held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin at 5:00 PM. The diocese called on the faithful to attend and pray together for “imprisoned clergy, detained and captive compatriots, and for the steadfastness of the Armenian Apostolic Church.” It soon became known that Catholicos Karekin II himself would attend the service. At the same time, major actors in Armenia’s opposition issued their own calls, urging supporters to be present at the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin on December 18 at 5:00 PM. As a result, two distinct groups gathered near the cathedral the following day. The first–and significantly larger–consisted of supporters of the Catholicos, including members and sympathizers of various opposition forces. The second group comprised those demanding the Catholicos’s resignation, including representatives of the ruling camp and their supporters. During the prayer service, Catholicos Karekin II was present inside the Mother Cathedral. Outside, opposing chants from the two groups were heard. Attempts by some protesters opposing the Catholicos’s entry into the cathedral were blocked.

Reimagining the Diaspora-State Relationship

An estimated 8-10 million Armenians live in over 100 countries across the world, spanning different time zones, political systems, languages and cultural traditions. This diversity brings richness, but also, a multiplicity of beliefs, attitudes and perspectives, especially when it comes to the place that’s become a unifying point for all - the Republic of Armenia. From its political and social direction to its economy and global alliances, the question of Armenia’s development and the role the diaspora will play in its evolution remains a pressing question. #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ

Armenian and US officials launch talks on ‘Trump route’: THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS

📍 Armenian and U.S. officials launched talks to establish a joint venture to oversee the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, a major new transit proposal.📍 U.S. ambassador talks ‘Trump route’ and border security: https://shorturl.at/R2Q6l📍 Azerbaijan sent a fuel shipment to Armenia via Georgia, the first in decades.📍 Armenia lowered interest rates to 6.5%, after holding steady for several months.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #civilnetbusiness

First Azerbaijani fuel shipment headed to Armenia

📍 Azerbaijan has launched gasoline shipments to Armenia via Georgia, reviving debate over rail connectivity, transit politics, and strategic dependence.📍 Authorities and church leaders urged calm ahead of planned gatherings at Holy Etchmiadzin of Catholicos with both opponents and supporters. 📍 Armenia at the Oscars: What does it take?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZgUIe-53iU#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #dailyarmenia

The political purpose behind Baku’s ‘Western Azerbaijan’ narrative

In this episode of Insights, host Eric Hacopian breaks down Turkey’s repeated insistence on linking normalization with Armenia to the signing of an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty, and explains why Ankara’s long-standing promises to open the border are unlikely to be kept. He also reviews Armenia’s 2026 state budget and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s problematic response to Baku’s renewed “Western Azerbaijan” narrative.#CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ #insightswitherichacopian