Georgia and Armenia announce diplomatic shifts, salary hike, and gas supply pause

Georgia’s Justice Ministry said the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers reiterated its demand that Russia withdraw troops from the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, stop the practice of ‘borderisation’, protect local rights and enable IDPs to return safely. Meanwhile, Armenia’s government introduced a draft law to double the salaries of high-ranking officials starting in January 2027, which must be approved by parliament.

Diplomatic appointments included Georgia’s new ambassador to Azerbaijan, Giorgi Zakarashvili, and Armenia’s ambassador to the United States, Narek Mkrtchyan, who said sanctions on Iran remain open for discussion. Armenian Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan met Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to enhance law-enforcement cooperation, and the Armenian Apostolic Church condemned an Azerbaijani official’s claim that historic monasteries are Albanian. Finally, Gazprom Armenia announced a ten-day suspension of Russian gas supplies for pipeline maintenance, assuring that domestic reserves and additional gas from Iran will keep consumers supplied.