Category: Azer News

Investigations are being conducted both in Azerbaijan and Russia regarding the crime committed against Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev told journalists, Azernews reports.

He noted that a separate inquiry is underway specifically concerning use of force and torture in the case.

“I believe this investigation will also reach a logical conclusion,” Aliyev added.

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On June 27, 2025, two Azerbaijanis, Hseyn and Ziyaddin Safarov, were killed during a raid by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) forces in Yekaterinburg. The operation targeted residences reportedly linked to Azerbaijani citizens. The victims were brothers of journalist Seyfaddin Huseynli. Their deaths sparked outrage in Azerbaijan, prompting the Foreign Ministry to summon Russia’s chargé d’affaires for clarification. The bodies were returned to Azerbaijan and buried in Aghjabadi.

The investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft in Kazakhstan remains ongoing, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev, as he told the press.

Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan is cooperating with both Russia and Kazakhstan in the inquiry. ‘We hope this investigation will also reach a logical conclusion,’ he said.

On December 25, 2025, an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer E190AR aircraft tragically crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, while en route from Baku to Grozny. The plane carried 67 people, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. The accident claimed 38 lives, including the captain, co-pilot, senior flight attendant, and 35 passengers, while 29 passengers survived. Despite the loss of life, the professionalism and courage of the crew enabled the plane to make an emergency landing, saving the lives of passengers.

Preliminary investigations suggest a possible external attack, with speculation surrounding a Russian-made Pantsir-S1 system. The aircraft reportedly issued a distress signal before descending sharply and exploding upon impact.

Competitions on seven sports will be held on October 1 as part of the 3rd CIS Games, Azernews reports.

Trampoline gymnastics tournament will kick off in Shaki.

In Gabala, the shooting competitions will conclude, and mixed team events in badminton will be organized. Also in this city, the Azerbaijani national football team will face Kyrgyzstan. The match will start at 12:00.

Swimming and volleyball competitions will take place in Ganja, while boxing matches will be held in Yevlakh.

Azerbaijan is hosting the third Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games from September 28 to October 8, 2025, marking a significant event in the region’s sports calendar.

This multi-sport competition brings together athletes from CIS member states and invited countries, aiming to promote friendship, cooperation, and athletic excellence.

For the first time in the history of the CIS Games, competitions are being held across seven cities in Azerbaijan: Ganja, Mingachevir, Gabala, Shaki, Goygol, Yevlakh, and Khankandi.

Each city hosts events in different sports, with the second-largest city, Ganja, serving as the main hub and officially designated the CIS Sports Capital for 2025.

Around 23 sports are being contested across 12 venues, highlighting a broad and inclusive athletic program.

A total of 1,624 athletes from 13 countries had confirmed participation. Event mascots Babir and Leyla are helping to generate enthusiasm among young fans.

BMW of North America LLC is recalling 145,102 vehicles in the United States due to a potential safety hazard, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Wednesday. The recall affects several models, including the 2020 340i, X6; 2020-2025 840i; 2020-2022 740Li; 2019-2020 X7; and X5 vehicles, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

According to the NHTSA, the starter motor in these vehicles may overheat due to an electrical overload, which poses a risk of igniting combustible materials in the engine compartment and causing a fire.

Owners of the affected vehicles will begin receiving notification letters starting November 17. BMW dealers will replace the faulty engine starter free of charge.

This recall highlights the increasing complexity of modern vehicle electrical systems, especially as manufacturers incorporate more advanced technology and hybrid components, making early detection and resolution of such issues even more critical for safety.

On October 1, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Denmark for a working visit at the invitation of Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and President of the European Council António Costa to participate in the 7th European Political Community Summit, Azernews reports.

At Copenhagen International Airport, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva were welcomed by officials.

Agriculture is among the sectors most severely impacted by climate change. That’s why, alongside water, transport, and urban development, it stands as a central focus of today’s discussions. These sectors are essential pillars for Azerbaijani society and the national economy, and ensuring their sustainability while reducing their environmental footprint is critical.

Azernews reports that these remarks were made by Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 and Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues, during the opening session of Day 3 of Baku Climate Action Week.

Babayev noted that this morning’s session is dedicated to agriculture and food security, both of which were listed as key priorities in the COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda last year.

‘As the host country, we are committed to sharing our experience and further strengthening efforts in this direction,’ Babayev said. ‘Severe water scarcity continues to affect our agricultural communities. That is why we introduced the ‘Water for Climate Declaration’ as part of the COP29 Presidential Initiatives. More than 60 countries have already committed to strengthening partnerships, advancing research, and raising the profile of water-related climate issues.’

He also highlighted the establishment of the Baku Water and Climate Dialogue, an initiative aimed at enhancing international cooperation, improving climate governance, and promoting joint management of trans-boundary water basins.

‘Just as rivers do not recognize borders, our responsibility for water must also transcend them,’ Babayev stressed. ‘Unfortunately, the sharp decline in water availability observed in our region has become one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. This is driven not only by climate change, but also by mounting pressures on fragile ecosystems. If we fail to act in time, the consequences could be catastrophic.’

Babayev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s readiness to closely collaborate with the United Nations in this area. He also acknowledged the existence of multiple programs supporting agriculture and rural communities but noted the real challenge lies in ensuring farmers can access these opportunities.

‘That’s why, within the COP29 framework, we officially launched the ‘Baku Harmony Climate Initiative for Farmers’ – a platform aimed at enhancing farmers’ resilience to climate change by expanding access to support mechanisms,’ he said. ‘This initiative will help farmers more easily reach the resources they need, while also helping policymakers identify and address funding gaps.’

In conclusion, Babayev emphasized the importance of turning international climate commitments into meaningful action at the national level:

‘Dear friends and colleagues, today we are presented with new opportunities to translate international agreements within the COP process into real results at home. I look forward to discussing with you how we can make this happen more effectively.’

During his official visit to Azerbaijan, President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella visited Martyrs’ Alley on October 1, Azernews reports.

The President paid tribute to the memory of Azerbaijan’s heroic sons who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the country’s independence and territorial integrity, and laid a wreath at the “Eternal Flame” monument.

AzInTelecom LLC, a subsidiary of AZCON Holding, is actively participating in the INMerge Innovation Summit 2025, one of the region’s largest innovation events, taking place at the Baku Congress Center. Over the two-day summit, AzInTelecom’s delegation has been engaging with representatives from local and international companies, discussing potential partnerships and collaboration opportunities, Azernews reports.

As part of its presence at the summit, AzInTelecom is operating an interactive booth in the exhibition area, where visitors can explore the company’s latest innovative services and digital products. Attendees can also participate in a digital prize wheel game, offering a chance to win branded giveaways while learning about the company’s cutting-edge solutions.

Held annually, the INMerge Innovation Summit is recognized as the region’s leading platform for corporate innovation. The summit aims to bring together top technology companies, public institutions, and private sector leaders from Azerbaijan and beyond to foster collaboration and innovation. This year’s summit features high-profile representatives from global tech giants such as Netflix, OpenAI, and NVIDIA, and has attracted over 1,000 founders, investors, corporate executives, and policymakers from more than 30 countries.

AzInTelecom delivers secure, scalable, and user-friendly digital services tailored to modern business needs. Its portfolio includes robust cloud solutions, next-generation digital signature and ID services, cybersecurity tools, and efficiency-driven digital platforms. By offering these technologies, AzInTelecom empowers organizations to lead in the digital transformation space across Azerbaijan and the broader region.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has welcomed the announcement of the Comprehensive Plan for the Resolution of the Gaza Conflict, recently put forward by US President Donald Trump, Azernews reports.

Baku views the initiative as an important step toward establishing lasting peace in the region.

Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, delivered press statements on September 30, Azernews reports.

First, the President of Azerbaijan made his statement.

Statement

by President Ilham Aliyev

– Dear Mr. President.

Dear guests.

I once again sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan.

This is President of Italy Mr. Mattarella’s second visit to Azerbaijan. The first official visit took place seven years ago. Today’s visit shows that Italian-Azerbaijani relations are developing very successfully and that we are true strategic partners.

Our meetings are frequent in nature. Last year, I was a guest of President Mattarella, and during the meeting, I invited him to pay another official visit to Azerbaijan. I am glad that he has accepted my invitation and is with us today.

There are two strategic partnership documents between us. The first document was signed in 2015. The second document – the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – was signed five years ago. Over the years, our relations have developed very rapidly and cover various directions. Political relations are at the highest level. As I mentioned, we meet often. In the economic sphere, Italy is our top trade partner and our trade turnover is increasing by the year. Many important projects have been implemented in the energy sector. In particular, by exporting Azerbaijani oil and gas to Italy, we have been able to send a large amount of natural resources to world markets. At the same time, we have also contributed to the energy security of many countries.

Today, during our conversation with President Mattarella, we recalled his previous visit. At that time, the implementation of the TAP project was on the agenda. There were various problematic issues, and President Mattarella’s personal intervention in this issue after the visit as well as his efforts in regulating these issues, allowed the TAP project to be successfully implemented. Starting from 2020, Azerbaijani gas has been exported to Italy through this project. Today, Azerbaijan exports natural gas to 14 countries through the Southern Gas Corridor. Our scope is increasing year after year, and today Azerbaijan ranks first in the world in terms of the geographical scope of natural gas exported through pipelines. Azerbaijani oil ranks first in Italy’s energy balance and Azerbaijani gas ranks second. In other words, this cooperation is a sign of a strong partnership, and we have supported each other as reliable partners for many years. If it were not for these sincere relations, if it were not for mutual trust, the implementation of these projects would not have been possible.

I informed President Mattarella today that we are currently working with the European Union on the export of electricity. The preparation of a feasibility study for the construction of power lines is underway. It will probably be ready soon. Thus, the path opened by TAP and the Southern Gas Corridor today paves the way for larger projects. Electricity, including that to be transmitted from Central Asia to Azerbaijan and then to Europe across the Caspian Sea, will further enhance the scope of our cooperation.

Last time, when President Mattarella was on a visit to Azerbaijan, we jointly attended the opening of a large industrial enterprise built by Italian companies in Sumgayit. During this visit, tomorrow, we will celebrate the opening of the Italian-Azerbaijani University. In other words, this momentum, the expansion of these cooperation frameworks is primarily evidence of sincere relations. In other words, cooperation in the energy and industrial sectors has also paved the way for cooperation in the humanitarian sector. Hundreds of students are already studying at the Italian-Azerbaijani University, and this will be a new educational institution for us. Those already studying here will not only have good knowledge, but also, naturally, become ambassadors of Italy in Azerbaijan and of Azerbaijan in Italy. So this will further strengthen our friendship.

During today’s talks, we also discussed European Union-Azerbaijan relations. Italy has always supported the development of Azerbaijan’s relations with the European Union, and today we feel this. Positive steps have been taken in European Union-Azerbaijan relations recently. This naturally pleases us.

In short, our strategic partnership is manifested both in official documents and in life. I do believe that our experience can serve as an example for building relations between countries located far from each other.

Dear Mr. President, welcome to Azerbaijan once again.

x x x

Then, the Italian President spoke.

Statement

by President Sergio Mattarella

– I am grateful to Mr. President Ilham Aliyev for the invitation to visit Azerbaijan again. I am also grateful for the hospitality extended to me and to our delegation. There is great friendship, mutual and a well-established understanding between us, and the relations between Italy and Azerbaijan are developing. Thank you very much for reminding me again of my visit seven years ago. This was, in fact, very symbolic, and Mr. President, thank you for inviting me to your country this time. Of course, tomorrow we will inaugurate the student campus of the Italy-Azerbaijan University. This also means that Italian universities, on the one hand, and Azerbaijani universities, on the other, will cooperate.

Mr. President told me that seven years ago we were at the inauguration of a large industrial facility. He also noted that this has a very symbolic significance. This has already opened a new path for our energy and industrial cooperation in the future. Italy and Azerbaijan have already started cooperating in the cultural, humanitarian and educational sectors. This actually means the full and effective implementation of our strategic partnership and the agreement signed 10 years ago. This develops the relations between our countries. It is also evidence of cooperation not only in the industrial and energy sectors, but also in the cultural sector.

Mr. President noted here that the numerous students who will go to the university that we will inaugurate tomorrow will further strengthen the friendship between our countries. Of course, when it comes to these relations, the relations between our countries are very good, and as you can see, we are organizing several events. Now we will have yet another event. Of course, we value this very highly. Our cooperation, Azerbaijan’s openness to us, the work it has done with us and our cooperation are obvious.

I told President Aliyev that when it comes to your cooperation with the European Union, Italy will take steps on its side. I would like to specifically note that Azerbaijan is a very influential partner in a broad sense. The European Union sees this and, of course, our cooperation with you will be very important in this context. We will do our very best to ensure that these relations grow, develop and always cover more and more new areas, serving the well-being of our countries and peoples. For this purpose, I have come to Baku on this visit. I am grateful to Mr. President for inviting me to your country for the second time. Of course, you also mentioned the role of Italy here. I express my gratitude to you. I am also grateful for your hospitality.

Let me note that tomorrow will be an important day in the field of culture and education between Italy and Azerbaijan, and we will participate in a joint event tomorrow morning.

The step we have taken with President Aliyev will be one that serves our mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation. Italy is very pleased with this friendship and cooperation and intends to raise it to the highest level.