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Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia remains “in constant contact” with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on key issues, including the situation in Iran, AzerNEWS reports.

“There are increasingly more and more critical issues, particularly in the problematic area, that concern the IAEA, including in the context of the war in Iran,” Peskov told the reporters.

The comments come as European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas warns that “freedom of navigation cannot be replaced by pay-for-passage schemes” and raises concerns over Iran’s “missile programs,” and “support to proxies and support to Russia.” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also said strict inspections of Iran’s nuclear activities must be part of any potential ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday that Moscow knows how the conflict in Ukraine will end, but “won’t make any public statements about it”, AzerNEWS reports.

“We’ll simply implement and strive for the goals we’ve set for ourselves, and accomplish the tasks we face,” he noted during a meeting with municipal employees. In addition, Putin declared enemies “are thinking about how to frame the fact that victory will belong to the Russian Federation.”

At the same time, Putin said that the Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia should reach the standard of living in the rest of the country by 2030.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates held talks last week with the United States over a potential financial ‘lifeline’ in case tensions linked to the conflict with Iran escalate further, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the meeting involved UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and representatives of the Federal Reserve System. Discussions reportedly focused not on a loan, but on a pre-approved currency swap arrangement.

UAE officials described the move as precautionary, stressing that the situation is not yet critical. However, they acknowledged that recent Iranian strikes have inflicted significant economic damage.

‘They also believe that President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran has drawn their country into a destructive conflict, the consequences of which have not yet been fully resolved,’ the report said, citing sources. ‘They have told US officials that if the UAE does not have enough dollars, they will be forced to use yuan or other currencies for transactions.’

Such a shift could have broader implications for the global financial system, where the US dollar remains dominant, particularly in energy markets, where most oil contracts are denominated in dollars.

The report notes that the UAE currently does not have a standing swap line with the Federal Reserve, and it remains unclear whether such a request would be approved. Existing arrangements are typically reserved for close US partners, including Mexico, Canada, Brazil, the European Union, and more recently Argentina.

The issue comes amid heightened financial activity in the Gulf. The Financial Times recently reported that Persian Gulf states have increased debt issuance, taking advantage of a temporary ceasefire to secure funding through both sovereign and state-backed channels.

The Emirati dirham, which is pegged to the US dollar, is supported by reserves of around $270 billion. However, the ongoing conflict has put pressure on the currency due to capital outflows, market volatility, and broader economic uncertainty.

Azerbaijan has participated in the global celebration of International Day for Monuments and Sites, welcoming thousands to explore its rich history and cultural landmarks, AzerNEWS reports.

One of the key highlights was the special “Open Doors” event at the Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, where nearly 2,800 visitors immersed themselves in the country’s literary heritage.

The museum, known for housing an extensive collection of Azerbaijani literary works, attracted a diverse crowd. Middle school students, university professors and students, as well as foreign residents, all gathered to learn about the towering figures of Azerbaijani literature.

Guided tours throughout the day offered visitors an in-depth look at the museum’s vast collection of manuscripts, artefacts, and interactive displays, shedding light on Azerbaijan’s centuries-old literary traditions.

For many, the “Open Doors Day” served as an enlightening opportunity to connect with Azerbaijan’s cultural roots.

Visitors explored the exhibits that celebrated the profound contributions of Azerbaijani writers, poets, and philosophers.

The day offered the perfect opportunity for both locals and visitors to deepen their knowledge of Azerbaijani heritage in a welcoming and accessible environment.

The Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature is one of the most significant cultural institutions in Azerbaijan, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich literary heritage of the country. Named after the great 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi, one of the most important figures in Azerbaijani literature and world poetry.

The Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature captivates visitors with its striking blue majolica on the facade, adorned with statues of six prominent figures from Azerbaijani literature. These include Fuzuli, Vagif, Mirza Fatali Akhundov, Natavan,Jalil Mammadguluzade and Jafar Jabbarli.

Housed in a building constructed in 1850 as a one-story caravanserai, the museum was extensively renovated in 1943. During this renovation, the facade and interior were redesigned in a national style, and the statues of notable Azerbaijani literary figures were placed on the balcony.

The museum spans 2,500 square meters, with a collection that includes over 3,000 manuscripts, rare books, illustrations, portraits, sculptures, miniatures, documentary photos, and other significant items displayed across 30 main halls and 10 auxiliary rooms.

On May 14, 1945, the museum officially opened its doors to the public, quickly becoming a central cultural landmark in Baku.

Visitors can explore a variety of multimedia materials, including films, performance clips, music pieces by renowned Azerbaijani composers, and poetry recitations by celebrated actors.

Among the museum’s most popular exhibits are the halls dedicated to the lives and works of important historical figures, such as the 13th-century scholar Nasiraddin Tusi, the mystic Shams Tabrizi, poets Zulfugar Shirvani and Molla Gasim Shirvani, Shah Ismail Khatayi, Hasan bay Zardabi, and the playwright Husein Javid.

In the museum’s monitor room, visitors can access comprehensive information about Azerbaijani literature, culture, and traditions, available in Azerbaijani, Russian, English and other languages.

This makes the museum a center for cultural education and a must-visit for anyone interested in Azerbaijan’s rich literary heritage.

A more fragile global backdrop is beginning to weigh on growth prospects, as highlighted by the International Monetary Fund in its April 2026 World Economic Outlook. The Fund trimmed its global growth forecast by 0.3 percentage points, while sharply lowering projections for oil-exporting economies by 2.6 percentage points. The revisions underscore rising uncertainty driven by persistent energy price volatility and intensifying geoeconomic tensions.

Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan’s economy showed mixed signals in the first quarter of 2026. Headline GDP contracted modestly by 0.3 per cent, largely reflecting external pressures in energy markets and a 3.4 per cent decline in oil production. Yet beneath the surface, the picture appears more resilient. Growth in the non-oil and gas sector continued to anchor economic activity, supported by robust domestic demand, steady investment flows and expansion across services and industry.

Industrial output in the non-oil sector rose by 7.0 per cent, while the information and communications sector expanded by 9.2 per cent and trade by 3.7 per cent. Per capita income increased by 6.6 per cent over the same period. Consumer market activity also strengthened, with the total value of goods sold and services provided rising by 4.6 per cent. Retail trade turnover grew by 3.7 per cent, public catering by 5.2 per cent and paid services by 8.8 per cent, indicating sustained consumption momentum despite external headwinds.

A notable drag came from the construction sector, where value added fell by 19.8 per cent. This decline reflects the phased execution of public investment programmes, seasonal factors affecting construction activity and the timing of large infrastructure projects. Authorities expect a rebound in the coming quarters as spending accelerates under the State Investment Programme, particularly in reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories and within the framework of the ‘Great Return’ programme.

Temporary weakness was also observed in transport and tourism, sectors sensitive to geopolitical shifts and disruptions in international logistics. However, officials anticipate that renewed infrastructure activity and increased state investment will help restore growth momentum in these areas over the course of the year.

Investment trends point to continued confidence in the medium-term outlook. Total investment in fixed assets rose by 14.9 per cent in the first quarter, with a striking 44.6 per cent increase in the oil and gas sector. Meanwhile, investment in the non-state segment of the non-oil economy grew by 17.3 per cent, signalling expanding private sector participation.

External trade dynamics further reinforce the diversification narrative. Non-oil and gas exports increased by 11.7 per cent, outpacing import growth of 1.2 per cent by a wide margin, excluding gold imports by the State Oil Fund. Food exports rose by 25.1 per cent to $281mn, driven by sharp increases in key categories: sugar exports surged 4.5-fold, cotton yarn doubled, while vegetable and animal oils rose by 68.4 per cent and cotton fibre by 43.5 per cent. Exports of fruits and vegetables climbed by 22.1 per cent, aluminium products by 20.4 per cent, tea by 15.1 per cent and beverages by 4.3 per cent.

Agricultural exports increased by 26.6 per cent to $215.6mn, while agro-industrial exports grew by 27.4 per cent to $88mn. Combined, these segments expanded by 26.8 per cent to $303.7mn, highlighting the growing contribution of value-added production chains beyond hydrocarbons.

These trends suggest that Azerbaijan’s long-standing push to diversify its economic base is beginning to yield measurable results. The strengthening of non-oil sectors has enhanced the economy’s resilience to external shocks while creating a broader platform for sustainable growth.

Policy efforts continue to focus on improving the business climate and stimulating private sector development. At a meeting of the Economic Council on April 10, discussions centred on removing bottlenecks in infrastructure connectivity and industrial development. Complementing this, the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings has expanded surveys among entrepreneurs covering areas such as trade operations, taxation, financial services and tourism, an approach aimed at aligning reforms with business needs.

International institutions have taken note. The World Bank, through its Business Ready 2025 (B-Ready) report, has for the first time assessed Azerbaijan across regulatory frameworks, public services, and operational efficiency. Both the World Bank and the IMF have revised their 2026 growth forecasts for the country upward to 2.0 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively, reflecting confidence in the government’s macroeconomic management and structural reform agenda.

Looking ahead, authorities are preparing the ‘Socio-economic Development Strategy for 2027-2030’, which is expected to define a new phase of growth centred on higher productivity, diversification, and stronger public-private partnerships. In an increasingly uncertain global environment, Azerbaijan’s challenge will be to sustain this transition while navigating continued volatility in its traditional energy base.

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, in collaboration with the House of Literature, has announced a national comics competition for young people aged 14 to 17, AzerNEWS reports.

The contest titled “My Hero” invites participants to submit original graphic stories in the Azerbaijani language. Entries must be emotionally engaging, demonstrate potential for animation, and span between 8 and 20 pages. Each submission should present a fresh, creative interpretation of a hero.

Students may participate individually or in teams of two, consisting of a scriptwriter and an illustrator.

The submission period will run from May 1 to September 1, 2026. Participants are required to send their work in PDF format, along with their full name and contact details, to the following e-mail: edibinevi@gmail.com.

A panel of experts from the Culture Ministry and the House of Literature will evaluate the entries. Winners will receive prizes, and one selected work will be adapted into a short animated film.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to implement the Azerbaijan Cultural Concept-2040, encouraging young people to create cultural content in the format of comics or graphic novels.

By combining text and imagery, the competition aims to foster artistic thinking and visual literacy. The heroes envisioned through this modern medium are expected to strengthen the national spirit while conveying a dynamic and creative Azerbaijani identity to future generations.

The “My Hero” national comics competition offers participants a unique opportunity to creatively interpret the concept of a hero as they see it-in their lives, history, families, or imagination.

Submissions may depict historical figures, national icons, professionals such as teachers, doctors, parents, or volunteers, as well as fictional or fantastical characters embodying meaningful values. Above all, each story should reflect the author’s personal perspective and creativity.

The “Young Beekeeper” project, aimed at promoting the employment of young families and ecological entrepreneurship, will be implemented in Yevlakh this time, AzerNEWS reports.

The project has been successfully carried out in various regions of the country since 2021, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the founder and head of the IDEA Public Union.

A total of 20 young families participating in the project will first take part in theoretical and practical training sessions. After completing the training, participants will be provided with bee colonies, hives, beekeeper suits, honey extraction machines, and other necessary equipment. Young beekeepers will be provided with the necessary conditions for the efficient organization of the production process, and at the same time, they will receive methodological and professional support in the certification, branding, design, and sales strategies of their products.

It should be noted that, since 2021, the “Young Beekeeper” project, initiated by the IDEA Public Union and in partnership with the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, the State Employment Agency, and the ABAD public legal entity, has supported the establishment of beekeeping farms for more than 80 young families living in various regions of the country.

The purpose of the project is to expand the distribution area of bees, which are among the main protectors of biodiversity, across the country, promote beekeeping as an ecological entrepreneurship model in regions, support environmentally friendly agricultural activities, and increase the production of high-quality natural honey. Additionally, the project aims to contribute to improving the social welfare of young families and ensuring their sustainable employment.

Young people aged 18-35 living in Yevlakh who wish to participate in the “Young Beekeeper” project can send their applications by May 5 through the IDEA Public Union’s hotline “1113: or by email info@ideacampaign.org or by contacting the Yevlakh service department of the State Employment Agency to register.

The “FotoBax” national photography competition is being held by the IDEA Public Union and the “Reza Visual Academy”, AzerNEWS reports.

The competition is being organized under the patronage of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder and Chairperson of the IDEA Public Union, and with the initiative of Reza Deghati, founder of the “Reza Visual Academy” association and internationally recognized photographer. The competition is part of the “Children’s Eyes on Earth” international photography project and is dedicated to the theme “I Love Nature – Azerbaijan’.

The main goal of the competition is to raise environmental awareness among children and youth, strengthen their interest and love for the nature of our country, and provide an opportunity for them to express their thoughts through photography.

Those wishing to participate in the competition should submit up to 20 photographs they have taken to the website by September 21.

The competition is open to children and adolescents under the age of 18.

Wednesday, April 16th, was a busy day in Brussels. One room saw discussions between a high-level delegation from Azerbaijan and representatives of the European External Action Service in connection with negotiating a new partnership agreement with Azerbaijan. Another room saw a vote on resolutions by Belgian and Dutch parliaments to insist on the immediate release of the Armenian prisoners held by Azerbaijan and withdrawal from Armenia. Four days after this incident, Azerbaijan called in the ambassadors of Belgium and the Netherlands to its capital, Baku. This was not surprising. It was, to say the least, an interesting time for this kind of activity.

The events of April 16 are by no means an exception. This is what the typical functioning of the European foreign policy vis-a-vis Azerbaijan looks like. The strategy of engagement and criticism at the same time, both seemingly unaware of, or at least indifferent to, each other’s existence. While Europe’s executive is courting Baku as a supplier of natural gas to fill the gap left by the Russian Federation, an intermediary for transit through the Middle Corridor, and a geopolitical partner in the South Caucasus which is not aligned with Russia or Iran, the European parliament occasionally, and this time in out-dated manner, reminds both itself and Baku that the September 2023 anti-terror measures was done ‘injustfyingly’.

The Belgian resolution, tabled by MP Michel de Maegd and MP Els Van Hoof, who serve as chairman and vice-chairman of the foreign affairs committee, demands the freedom of Armenian POWs, the repatriation of the Armenian population of Karabakh under international security guarantees, and the retreat of Azerbaijani troops to their positions prior to May 2021. The Dutch resolution, tabled by MP Don Seder, is largely in the same vein and also briefly addresses the recognition of the Armenian genocide, an evergreen topic which Azerbaijan does not hesitate to conflate with the issue of Karabakh in its entirety. Neither resolution carries any binding force, but both were approved, albeit not without precedent.

In the statement issued by the Azerbaijani parliament, the documents were dismissed as emanating from “the unhealthy imagination and racism of traditionally anti-Azerbaijani, Islamophobic forces.” However, irrespective of what the statement is aimed at, it is unlikely that it would enhance Baku’s position. The tone of the statement issued by the foreign ministry was somewhat restrained; nonetheless, it reiterated that the documents constituted a gross violation of international law, driven by “a deep-rooted prejudice against Azerbaijan.” It should be noted that the ICJ had already refused to entertain the demands made by Armenia to free the arrested individuals. Besides, the UN Working Group had also concluded in March 2025 that their arrest was legal.

The timing of this resolution and its audacity are really contradictory; it passed on the very day of the bilateral meeting between the Speakers of the Armenian and Azerbaijani parliaments, an unremarked yet effective piece of diplomacy that the drafters of the resolution may have been unaware of or chosen to disregard. For his part, Pashinyan has, in recent weeks, already informed domestic audiences that dwelling on previous wrongs is inconsistent with a peace process the two governments have already agreed upon. The 2025 Washington Declaration on the normalization of relations is there. The TRIPP Corridor initiative is there. Normalization with Trkiye is there. Demands for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops back to pre-2021 lines, which bear no resemblance to political realities, do not seem likely to contribute to any of the above.

Of course, all this is not surprising, and it is not the first time. The European Union often overlooks certain realities in pursuit of a so-called ‘neutral’ position. To some extent, it’s plausible to see them advocating for human rights while neglecting a fundamental principle they’ve historically supported: the importance of internationally recognized boundaries. The claims being made are outdated and do not reflect today’s realities.

And yet. There is one significant exception regarding the peace treaty signed in Washington, and it is not the commitment of Azerbaijan to release the prisoners. In none of the declarations made at the August summit is there any mention of this issue. Should the problem of their release not be settled as part of the official peace treaty, then perhaps among the very few tools that could help solve it would be those resolutions made by European parliaments – albeit with their questionable timing, influence by diasporas, and lack of binding force. Perhaps, at the end of the day, this is a matter for the two countries to decide.

It is an argument for the difficult truth that Europe’s “right hand and left hand” problem is sometimes, in the specific and narrow case of human rights accountability, deliberate rather than merely disorganised.