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Ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, the Dutch Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee convened with the participation of the Netherlands' Foreign Minister, Kaspar Veldkamp. During the session, two important resolutions aimed at supporting the Republic of Armenia and promoting cultural preservation in Artsakh were proposed. The first resolution, authored by MPs Isa Kahraman (NSC) and Don Ceder (ChristenUnie), emphasizes the urgent need to protect the cultural heritage of Artsakh. The resolution notes: "Considering that the Azerbaijani army attacked Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, leading to the near-total displacement of the population to Armenia, with many still unable to return to their homes, and recognizing that Azerbaijan is destroying Armenian cultural heritage in that region, we call on the government to advocate for the protection of Armenian cultural heritage within the frameworks of both the EU and the 1954 Hague Convention of UNESCO." The Dutch Foreign Minister expressed support for the call to protect Armenian cultural heritage. The resolution was passed by a large majority in Parliament. The second resolution, co-authored by MPs Ceder (ChristenUnie), Boswijk (CDA), Stoffer (SGP), Piri (GroenLinks-PvdA), Van der Berg (VVD), Paternotte (D66), De Roon (PVV), and Kahraman (NSC), highlights a rare opportunity for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan after three decades of conflict. It also stresses the importance of acknowledging ongoing obstacles, including Azerbaijan's continued detention of Armenian prisoners of war. The resolution calls on the Dutch government, in collaboration with other European countries, to exert pressure on Azerbaijan to secure the release of all Armenian prisoners of war (POWs). The Foreign Minister reiterated the government's commitment to supporting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and pledged to address the issue of releasing detainees, including Armenian prisoners. According to the minister, the release of prisoners of war following the conclusion of armed conflict is an obligation under international humanitarian law. The second resolution also passed by a majority vote.

The Feast of the Holy Translators honors a group of literary figures and saints from the Armenian Apostolic Church who founded the Armenian alphabet, translated the Bible, and initiated a movement to write and translate essential works into the Armenian language. The Holy Translators include: • Mesrop Mashtots • Koriun • Eznik of Kolb • Ghazar Parpetsi • Isaac of Armenia • Gregory of Narek • Movses Khorenatsi • Yeghishe • David the Invincible • Nerses IV the Gracious • Gregory the Illuminator The translation of the Bible was completed by the Holy Translators in 425. The first words written in Armenian were the opening line of the Book of Proverbs: «Ճանաչել զիմաստութիւն եւ զխրատ, իմանալ զբանս հանճարոյ:» “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding.” — Proverbs 1:2 The first Armenian translation of the Bible, one of the world’s oldest, has survived and is still used in the liturgy of the Armenian Church. The translators of the Bible were canonized by the Armenian Church. The celebration of Holy Translators’ Day commemorates those who created the Armenian alphabet and became the founders of Armenian literature, written language, and schools

Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh, reported that in addition to the 23 confirmed prisoners held by Azerbaijan, 80 more Armenians were being detained in Baku. In response, citizens staged protests demanding the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages illegally held in Azerbaijan. Demonstrations took place outside the UN office in Armenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the embassies of France, the United States, and Russia. These protests condemned Aliyev's terrorist regime, called out Azerbaijan’s war crimes, and urged the swift return of all Armenian prisoners from Baku.

In December 2023, Armenia lifted its veto, allowing Azerbaijan to secure the hosting of COP29 as part of a controversial prisoner exchange deal. Armenia returned two Azerbaijani detainees involved in a deadly sabotage attack, while Azerbaijan released 32 Armenian POWs. However, this exchange goes beyond a typical deal, as Armenia also withdrew its own bid to host COP29 in exchange for the POWs—a move criticized as a form of hostage diplomacy. Azerbaijan, a major global fossil fuel producer, has faced accusations of using the COP29 platform to “greenwash” its poor human rights record and environmental policies. The country is leveraging environmentalism to deflect attention from its authoritarian regime, political prisoners, and worsening human rights situation. Organizations such as Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have highlighted Azerbaijan’s crackdown on independent journalists and activists, raising concerns about its suitability to host a credible climate conference. Support the ANCA’s campaign to expose Azerbaijan’s human rights violations, hostage diplomacy, and attempts to greenwash its environmental and humanitarian abuses during COP29. #COP29 #StopGreenwashGenocide #freearmenianhostages #COPout29 #COP29exposed #FreeArmenianPOWs

In December 2023, Armenia lifted its veto, allowing Azerbaijan to secure the hosting of COP29 as part of a controversial prisoner exchange deal. Armenia returned two Azerbaijani detainees involved in a deadly sabotage attack, while Azerbaijan released 32 Armenian POWs. However, this exchange goes beyond a typical deal, as Armenia also withdrew its own bid to host COP29 in exchange for the POWs—a move criticized as a form of hostage diplomacy. Azerbaijan, a major global fossil fuel producer, has faced accusations of using the COP29 platform to “greenwash” its poor human rights record and environmental policies. The country is leveraging environmentalism to deflect attention from its authoritarian regime, political prisoners, and worsening human rights situation. Organizations such as Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have highlighted Azerbaijan’s crackdown on independent journalists and activists, raising concerns about its suitability to host a credible climate conference. Support the ANCA’s campaign to expose Azerbaijan’s human rights violations, hostage diplomacy, and attempts to greenwash its environmental and humanitarian abuses during COP29. #COP29 #StopGreenwashGenocide #freearmenianhostages #COPout29 #COP29exposed #FreeArmenianPOWs

A joint Armenian-German team from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the University of Münster has made a groundbreaking discovery in the ancient city of Artaxata/Artashat: the remains of Armenia’s oldest known Christian church, dating back to the mid-4th century. This early Christian structure features a unique octagonal design with cruciform extensions—previously unknown in Armenia but common in the Eastern Mediterranean during the same period. Researchers believe the building was used as a memorial church, with wooden platforms discovered in the cross-shaped extensions. Radiocarbon dating confirmed the age of the wooden remains, and the octagonal church—measuring approximately 30 meters in diameter—had a simple mortar floor with terracotta tiles. Lavish marble decoration, likely imported from the Mediterranean, hints at the building’s significance. This find provides crucial evidence of early Christianity’s spread in Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official state religion in 301 AD under King Tiridates III, converted by Gregory the Illuminator. Artaxata, once the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, played a central role in the country’s history under the Artaxiad and Arsacid dynasties. The excavation team has been working at the site since 2018, exploring its Hellenistic and early Christian heritage. This latest discovery enriches our understanding of Armenia’s Christian past and could help identify the church’s dedication, potentially connecting it to key figures in Armenian history. The project is funded by the German Research Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, and the research team plans to continue excavations in the hope of uncovering further details about this remarkable site.

Discover the historic Saint George Church in the heart of Old Tiflis, a spiritual and cultural center for the Armenian community since the 13th century. This iconic landmark, connected to figures like Sayat Nova, continues to serve as the seat of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia. Next time you visit, be sure to stop by!

Hadrut, the historic heart of Artsakh’s Hadrut district, has been under Azerbaijani occupation for four years. Once part of the ancient Dizak province in Greater Armenia’s Aghvank region, Hadrut’s legacy stretches back thousands of years. Archaeological discoveries of pagan, early Christian, and medieval monuments reveal continuous habitation dating as far back as the 2nd-1st millennia BC. For over a century, Hadrut has been a focal point in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. In 1918, its brave residents successfully repelled Turkish forces advancing toward Zangezur. Since the occupation, Azerbaijani vandals have demolished Hadrut’s central library, named after Avetik Isahakyan, along with nearby residential houses, destroyed the Hadrut war heroes’ memorial, vandalized St. Harutyun Church, and obliterated the surrounding khachkars (stone crosses). We will return.

Former captain and legend of the Armenian national football team, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, continues to shine in European football, ranking 6th in transfer value among players aged 35 and older. His market value is estimated at €6 million, placing him alongside Luka Modrić. The top five include Lionel Messi (€25 million), Cristiano Ronaldo (€15 million), Robert Lewandowski (€15 million), Karim Benzema (€10 million), and Thomas Müller (€8 million). Despite his age, Mkhitaryan remains a key player for Inter Milan.

Eduard Spertsyan, the leader and midfielder of the Armenian national team and Russia's Krasnodar, will miss today’s Faroe Islands-Armenia match due to a minor injury, according to the Armenian Football Federation. Armenia will face the Faroe Islands in an away Nations League match tonight. After two matches, the Armenian national team has 3 points and is currently in second place in its group.