Diplomacy

“Welcome to Armenia,” the pilot’s voice came over the tannoy as the Turkish Atlasjet flight touched down in Yerevan some time in 2011. “The temperature outsider is…” A normal announcement on any flight. This one, however, came in Turkish before being repeated in English. In Armenia. That was 14 years ago now. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the flights have existed for years albeit with some interruptions and later operated by Pegasus and Flyone.

On 1 September 2025, LINKS Europe launched the regional campaign 'Landmine Free South Caucasus 2025'.While the world's attention is focused on new conflicts and crises, and some countries have withdrawn from the Ottawa Treaty due to heightened security concerns, the South Caucasus remains trapped by the deadly remnants of wars, some fought decades ago, others more recent. Although recent months have seen breakthroughs in relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, suggesting that sustainable peace is within reach, landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) continue to pose a daily threat in the region and remain a contentious issue in relations. They claim innocent victims, hinder economic development, and cause ecological damage.

US President  Donald Trump on Monday 29 September laid out a 20-point proposal  supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that would end the war in Gaza and free remaining hostages, leaning heavily into conditions that Hamas has previously rejected. Hamas is reviewing the plan while the Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank said it welcomed Trump’s plan to end the war and pledged to implement the reforms called for in his plan. Trump’s plan calls for establishing a temporary governing committee that would be headed by Trump and include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. A Palestinian committee of technocrats would oversee civilian affairs, with power handed over later to a reformed Palestinian Authority. 

On Tuesday (23 September), the high-level General Debates opened at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.” The title may sound uplifting, almost celebratory, but beneath the polished words lies a chilling undertone: a desperate plea for unity. The General Debates unfold during a time when the world order faces multiple challenges: global conflicts at their highest level since World War II, genocide and famine in Gaza, humanitarian crises in Sudan and Yemen, a grinding war in Ukraine, bombings in the Middle East, accelerating climate breakdown, deep cuts to international aid and among many others a dangerous surge in human rights and international law violations.

US President Donald Trump relentlessly mocked the United Nations on Tuesday23 September  in his first address since his White House comeback, blasting it for failing to bring peace and claiming the world body encourages illegal migration. In his return to the UN General Assembly podium, Trump accused the UN of fostering an "assault" through migration on Western countries that he said were "going to hell". He likewise used the major forum to denounce efforts to reduce global warming, calling climate change concerns "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world". Trump also lashed out at European allies, as well as China and India, for failing to stop oil purchases from Russia, while remaining relatively restrained on Moscow even as he said Washington was ready to impose unspecified sanctions.

As Gaza continues to burn, France recognised Palestinian statehood on Monday 22 September at the start of a summit at the United Nations aimed at galvanizing support for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. More nations are following, in defiance of Israel and the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement in the U.N. General Assembly hall received loud applause from the more than 140 leaders in attendance. The Palestinian delegation, including its U.N. ambassador, Riyad Mansour, could be seen standing and applauding as the declaration was made. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was denied a visa by the US authorities forcing him to attend only virtually.

The 108th Rose Roth Seminar, organised by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, is taking place in the Armenian Capital, Yerevan 22-23 September 2025. The Rose-Roth Seminar has not been held in Armenia since 2015, and the Armenian National Assembly put effort in ensuring the success of the event. Among the speakers at the opening session on Monday was Defence Minister, Suren Papikyan; Security Council Secretary, Armen Grigoryan; and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Ruben Rubenian. But the panel immediately following got a lot of attention because quite uniquely it included an Armenian, an Azerbaijani and a Turkish speaker. Chaired by the Director of LINKS Europe, Dennis Sammut, the panelists were Armine Margaryan, Murad Muradov; and Nigar Goksel. They made robust presentations, but were elegant and courteous in their demeanor. The panel was an expression of a new Armenia and a new South Caucasus. It also marked a new beginning in public diplomacy.

The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal, announced on Sunday (21 September) that they were formally recognising the State of Palestine. British prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, announced the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state, in what represents a significant change in government policy. In a video statement on X, the prime minister said: "In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution." Australia, Canada and Portugal also announced formal recognition of the state of Palestine, with France and other EU states expected to follow. Responding on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a Palestinian state "will not happen".

On Thursday (18 September) the leaders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) convened in Bishkek to push forward an agenda of regional integration, digital transformation, and infrastructural development. The gathering, which included Prime Ministers and senior officials from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey, among others, reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing transit potential, modernising transport infrastructure, and accelerating digital cooperation.