Category: Azer News

Moscow is discussing the possibility of sending fertilizers to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Overchuk said, Azernews reports.

Overchuk described the first shipment of Russian grain to Armenia via Azerbaijan as a significant milestone. ‘An important event has occurred – the first train carrying Russian grain was delivered to Armenia through Azerbaijan and Georgia. This is the first time such a shipment has taken place since Armenia and Azerbaijan gained independence,’ he said.

He added that Kazakh grain subsequently followed the same route. ‘We are also exploring the possibility of transporting other types of cargo along this line, such as fertilizers,’ Overchuk noted.

According to the deputy prime minister, Moscow and Yerevan are discussing expanding bilateral supplies from Armenia through imports: ‘This involves providing reverse shipments from Armenia to Russia via Azerbaijani territory. All of these are changes that until recently seemed impossible.’

Russia’s diplomatic presence in Poland has effectively come to an end after Warsaw ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in the city of Gdansk, the last remaining Russian consular office in the country, Azernews reports.

Poland’s foreign ministry instructed the consulate to cease operations by December 23, following accusations that Russian agents were involved in the sabotage of a railway line last month. Under the order, consulate employees were required to leave Polish territory. However, Moscow has refused to fully vacate the premises, insisting on leaving one ‘administrative and technical employee’ behind to ‘ensure the inviolability’ of the building.

The dispute centers on a villa located on Batorego Street, which has housed Kremlin diplomats since 1951. Russian officials argue that the property was transferred to the Soviet Union in the early 1950s as compensation for assets lost during World War II. ‘We believe this is our property,’ Andrei Ordash, chargé d’affaires of the Russian embassy in Warsaw, told broadcaster TVN.

Polish authorities strongly reject this claim. Gdansk city hall has described Russia’s position as ‘incomprehensible,’ noting that available documentation does not support Moscow’s assertions. According to Poland’s land and mortgage registers, the building belongs to the Polish state treasury.

The city also recalls that in 2013 it began charging usage fees for the property, which the Russian consulate refused to pay. Unpaid fees for the period between 2013 and 2023 are estimated at around 5.5 million zloty, with interest adding a further 3 million zloty.

Historically, Russia and later the Soviet Union had operated a consulate in Gdansk since the era of Tsar Peter the Great. That earlier facility was seized by Nazi Germany in 1941 and destroyed in 1945 during the Red Army’s advance.

Despite Russia’s objections, recent video footage confirms that the consulate in Gdansk has been shut down, marking the complete expulsion of Russian consular institutions from Poland.

On December 23, participants of the international conference ‘Protecting Children in the Digital Environment: Modern Tools and International Cooperation,’ visited the Heydar Aliyev Center.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA Public Union, accompanied the guests during their visit to the ‘My Seas, My Oceans’ exhibition, which calls attention to the urgent need for preserving the world’s water resources.

Organized on the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and IDEA, the exhibition features works by contemporary artists reflecting a range of global challenges – from pollution and overfishing to the loss of biodiversity. In these artworks, water is portrayed as a source of life, renewal, and imagination.

Painters, sculptors, multimedia artists, and multidisciplinary creators address themes such as water conservation, climate change, sustainability, and marine biodiversity, using their artistic expressions to advocate for the protection of our seas, oceans, and shared future.

Following the exhibition tour, Leyla Aliyeva held a bilateral meeting with Zahra Pezeshkian, Head of the Iranian Delegation and daughter of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During the event, the guests presented Leyla Aliyeva with a gift, and she, in turn, reciprocated by presenting gifts to the attendees.

On December 24, President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

President Isaac Herzog conveyed his congratulations to the Azerbaijani leader on his birthday, wishing him continued success in his presidential activities and robust health.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the attention and congratulations.

During the conversation, the two leaders highlighted the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Israel and exchanged views on the prospects for further bilateral cooperation.

Garabagh’s transformation was on full display during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit on December 23, as the head of state reviewed projects spanning settlement restoration, education, industry, and power supply. The visit reflected a broader policy focus on turning liberated territories into economically active and socially viable regions.

The visit brought together key elements of this process, including resettlement, education, energy security, industrial development, and private investment, all within a single day’s agenda.

The head of state first visited the Karkijahan settlement in Khankendi, where renovation works that began in May this year are gradually transforming the area into a livable community for returning residents. The settlement consists of dozens of apartment buildings and over a thousand individual houses, many of which suffered extensive damage during the years of occupation. Restoration efforts are now translating into concrete outcomes. Several dozen homes have already been fully renovated, enabling the first group of families to return to their ancestral lands after long years of displacement. Alongside housing, essential infrastructure has been restored, including water, gas, electricity, telecommunications, street lighting, and internal roads, reinforcing the principle that resettlement must be accompanied by dignified living conditions.

Renovation of the settlement began in May this year and covers 33 apartment buildings and 1,037 individual houses. Of these, 247 houses were deemed uninhabitable and 790 partially habitable. By the end of this year, 40 houses are planned to be repaired, with a further 280 scheduled for renovation in 2026. So far, renovation has been completed in 30 houses, enabling the return of 30 families, comprising 115 residents, to their ancestral homes after years of displacement.

Social infrastructure featured prominently during the visit. President Aliyev attended the opening of the newly renovated Secondary School No. 1 in Karkijahan, a modern educational facility designed to serve hundreds of students. Equipped with laboratories, STEAM and IT rooms, sports facilities, and spaces for extracurricular activities, the school reflects a broader policy emphasis on rebuilding education systems in liberated areas as a foundation for sustainable return and long-term development.

Higher education also stood at the center of the visit. The president laid the foundation stone for the Engineering Faculty building of Garabagh University and attended the opening of the new Faculty of Business and Economics building. These developments are shaping Garabagh University into a full-fledged academic hub, aimed at training specialists in engineering, economics, management, and technology. With modern campuses, research facilities, and innovation-oriented curricula, the university is positioned not only as an educational institution but also as a driver of human capital formation for the region’s economic revival.

Energy security, a prerequisite for both social life and industrial activity, was another major focus. The President attended the opening of the 110/35/10 kV Khankendi-1 substation, the first closed-type 110 kV substation in the liberated territories. Built in line with urban grid standards, the facility ensures an uninterrupted electricity supply to Khankendi, as well as the Aghdara, Khojaly, and Khojavend districts. Over the past five years, approximately 1,000 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and 12 substations have been constructed across Garabagh and East Zangazur, forming a ring-type power supply network and marking the largest modernization of the region’s power system to date.

The visit also reflected the growing role of private investment and industrial activity in the liberated territories. In the Khojaly district, President Aliyev attended the opening of an office furniture and accessories production facility, an enterprise equipped with advanced foreign technologies and oriented toward both domestic and export markets. The project has already created permanent jobs and is expected to expand employment further in subsequent stages, benefiting from state incentives designed to encourage entrepreneurship in Garabagh.

The economic dimension of reconstruction was reflected in multiple industrial openings. In the Khojaly district, President Aliyev attended the opening of an office furniture and accessories production facility owned by Accurate Az LLC. The enterprise, valued at 20 million manats [approximately 11.8 million USD], is expected to produce 240,000 units of office furniture and four million accessories annually, with 60 percent of output destined for export. The facility has already created 80 permanent jobs, with plans to expand employment to 450 in later stages.

In Aghdam Industrial Park, the president opened a metal electric pole production facility with an annual capacity of 7,200 tons, employing 32 people, and laid the foundation stone for another furniture production enterprise with a projected investment of 8 million manats [around 4.7 million USD]. The Industrial Park itself now hosts 32 resident companies with total planned investments exceeding 312 million manats [about 183.5 million USD], nearly 970 permanent jobs, and production valued at 945 million manats [around 555.9 million USD], including exports worth 39.5 million manats [about 23.2 million USD].

Industrial development continued in Aghdam, where the president attended the opening of a metal electric pole production facility at the Aghdam Industrial Park and laid the foundation stone for a new furniture manufacturing enterprise. These projects illustrate the gradual emergence of Aghdam as an industrial center, supported by tax and customs incentives, preferential financing, and state-backed infrastructure. The industrial park has already attracted multiple investors, generating jobs for local residents and contributing to regional economic diversification.

Tourism and services were not left out of the day’s agenda. President Aliyev attended the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn Aghdam hotel, a large-scale hospitality project located near key transport and cultural facilities. The hotel adds a new dimension to Aghdam’s urban landscape, supporting both business activity and tourism while creating new employment opportunities. The 287-bed facility includes 127 rooms and has created 120 permanent jobs, reinforcing Aghdam’s re-emergence as a regional service and transport hub.

Taken together, the President’s visits present a cohesive picture of Garabagh’s transformation. Housing reconstruction, education, energy infrastructure, industry, and tourism are being developed in parallel, reinforcing one another. The emphasis on modern standards, institutional presence, and private sector participation signals that the restoration of Garabagh is not limited to physical rebuilding, but is aimed at establishing a sustainable socio-economic ecosystem capable of supporting long-term peace, return, and development.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented a comprehensive 20-point peace plan outlining Kyiv’s vision for ending the war and ensuring long-term security and reconstruction in Ukraine, Azernews reports via Kyiv Post .

We present the peace plan:

Confirmation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Conclusion of a non-aggression pact between Russia and Ukraine, with monitoring of the contact line.

Provision of security guarantees for Ukraine.

Peacetime strength of the Ukrainian Armed Forces set at 800,000 personnel.

Security guarantees from the United States, NATO and Europe under Article 5, including a military response and reimposition of sanctions in case of renewed Russian aggression.

Russia to legally enshrine the rejection of aggressive policies toward Europe and Ukraine.

Ukraine’s accession to the European Union at a defined future date.

A global development package to be detailed in a separate investment agreement.

Creation of several reconstruction funds with a target of attracting up to 800 billion US dollars.

Acceleration of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Ukraine and the United States.

Confirmation of Ukraine’s nuclear-free status.

Status of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, with management proposals involving the United States and Ukraine.

Introduction of educational programs promoting tolerance and combating racism and prejudice.

Territorial settlement, including withdrawal options, possible ‘stay-in-place’ arrangements, or the creation of a free economic zone subject to a referendum.

Commitment by both Russia and Ukraine not to change the agreement by force.

Guarantees that Russia will not obstruct Ukraine’s commercial use of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea, with the demilitarization of Cape Kinburn.

An ‘all-for-all’ prisoner exchange and the return of civilians, children and political prisoners.

Holding of elections in Ukraine as soon as possible after the agreement is signed.

The agreement to be legally binding and overseen by a Peace Council led by Donald Trump.

Immediate implementation of a full ceasefire upon agreement by all parties.

As the New Year approaches, Baku is once again embracing the festive spirit with a mix of traditional and modern holiday fairs, seasonal installations and family-friendly activities across key city locations.

The streets and squares are adorned with sparkling lights, towering New Year trees, and colourful decorations, creating a magical atmosphere that enchants both residents and visitors. Holiday music fills public spaces, while the aroma of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and traditional sweets adds a warm, sensory layer to the festive experience. Everywhere you go, cheerful crowds gather to take photos, enjoy street performances, and soak in the joyful energy that marks the city’s vibrant winter celebrations.

Azernews showcases a dazzling selection of the top spots to experience the magic of winter in Baku.

Cold Hands, Warm Heart charity fair

One of Baku’s most beloved winter attractions, the Cold Hands, Warm Heart winter charity fair, takes place annually at Fountains Square, near the bustling Nizami Street. This charity holiday market operates daily from early December until January 6.

Organised by the Nargis Fund, this year, the charity fair is presented for the first time with a circus theme, transforming the square into a unique space where colourful characters, live shows, music, and original decorations harmoniously come together.

Guests of the fair are greeted by 60 large and 20 small decorative houses, three two-story restaurants, a specially designed play tunnel, the “Xohan” maze, two photo booths, various themed photo zones, and entirely new structures enriched with circus elements.

Held annually since 2013 with the organisational support of the Nargis Fund and having become a New Year tradition in our city, Cold Hands, Warm Heart charity fair continues to serve a charitable purpose this year. Thanks to the financial support from sponsors and funds raised from renting the houses, all proceeds go towards the treatment and surgical expenses of children suffering from various diseases.

At Fountains Square, guests can try high-quality dishes and hot drinks in establishments that combine Eastern and Western flavours, purchase exclusive handmade products and souvenirs, participate in various games, and create unforgettable memories with their loved ones.

The doors of the Cold Hands, Warm Heart winter charity fair are open daily from 11:00 to 23:00 until January 8, 2026.

Winter in Azerbaijan Gingerbread installation

On December 1, NARGIS Magazine opened its magical seasonal project, “Winter in Azerbaijan,” a festive Gingerbread City exhibition that brings together craftsmanship, imagination and holiday spirit. Hosted at Port Baku Mall, the exhibition invites visitors into a miniature gingerbread world.

The installation features edible-style models of iconic Baku landmarks and cultural motifs crafted by professional confectioners and architects.

The display brings holiday spirit to life with interactive elements, festive designs and seasonal charm, inviting visitors to enjoy the unique blend of creativity and cultural heritage. The exhibition will remain open until January 15, 2026, with free admission for all visitors.

Seaside Boulevard New Year Fair

The annual New Year fair on Baku Boulevard opened in early December, offering a lively winter atmosphere along the city’s seaside promenade.

The fair features decorative lights, vendor stands with seasonal treats, crafts and souvenirs, and a variety of entertainment options for visitors.

This year’s festivities include an open-air ice rink in the “Dinamo” zone, making the Baku Boulevard a popular destination for families and tourists alike during the holiday season. The holiday fair continues to draw crowds with its festive design and public entertainment spaces.

The fair will remain open until January 5.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation stone for the production facility of Saloglu Garabagh LLC in Aghdam Industrial Park on December 23, Azernews reports.

Tajeddin Mustafayev, founder of Saloglu Garabagh LLC, briefed the head of state on the plans for the new facility.

The enterprise will be established on a one-hectare site within the Aghdam Industrial Park. The project envisages the construction of a factory for the production of furniture, including various types of living room and bedroom sets, as well as upholstered and metal furniture accessories. Production will utilize technologies from Trkiye, Germany, and China. The factory’s annual production capacity is projected at 4,000 furniture sets and 6,000 metal furniture accessories. The products will meet domestic market demand and will also be exported. The total investment value of the project is 8 million manats. A preferential loan is expected to be provided by the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund under the Ministry of Economy for the establishment of the facility. The enterprise will benefit from all tax and customs incentives granted to residents of the industrial park. The project is expected to create 50 permanent jobs.

D’ART Gallery is a new platform for art, culture, and creative dialogue. By bringing together Azerbaijan’s historical artistic heritage with contemporary art, the gallery offers art lovers a unique journey across time, styles, and artistic perspectives. At the same time, its core mission is to support artists, attract collectors, and present Azerbaijani art to an international audience.

The gallery’s first exhibition, From Generation to Generation, features nearly 50 works by People’s Artists and Honoured Artists of Azerbaijan, alongside representatives of the middle and younger generations of painters, graphic artists, and sculptors. The exhibition creates a bridge between the past and the present of Azerbaijani visual art. It should be noted that all exhibited works are available for sale. Visitors have the opportunity to enrich their existing collections or acquire the first piece of a future collection.

Opening the event with introductory remarks, the distinguished Azerbaijani sculptor and honorary guest of the exhibition, People’s Artist Öm?r Eldarov, stated:

‘The opening of a new gallery is a major and significant cultural event for our republic. I am very pleased. Just as the opening of a theatre is vital for an actor, a new gallery is equally important for us artists. I am confident that D’ART Gallery will fulfil this responsible mission with dignity.’

The Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, R?van H?s?nov, emphasised that the gallery’s co-founder and director, Dilara Muzaffarli, is a member of the Centre, and that numerous art exhibitions dedicated to the themes of tolerance and multiculturalism-both in Azerbaijan and abroad-have been organised under her authorship and leadership. He added:

‘Art has always been a herald of its time. Every artist, in turn, conveys a message to the future. The title From Generation to Generation is highly symbolic: works from different periods become timeless within a single space. I would also like to note that the opening of private galleries in our country is a very welcome development.’

Vice-Rector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, People’s Artist and Professor Fuad Salayev, remarked:

‘The gallery is commendable both in its architectural design and its exhibition concept. We are living in a new era, and the opening of a new gallery is of great importance for Azerbaijani culture. I wish the gallery every success in its future activities.’

Advisor to the Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, Professor Valid? M?mm?dova, noted:

‘The theme of today’s exhibition is extremely important and symbolic. Those who forget their yesterday will lose their today, and nothing will remain of us tomorrow.’

People’s Artist Arif Hseynov stated in his speech:

‘The decision to open the new gallery in Baku’s White City area is absolutely the right one. The works included in the From Generation to Generation exhibition have been selected with a high level of professionalism from an art-historical perspective.’

The gallery’s co-founder and director, art historian Dilara Muzaffarli, said:

‘At D’ART Gallery, we set out with the ambition of creating a platform that brings together the rich heritage of Azerbaijani art and its contemporary expressions. The From Generation to Generation exhibition is the first tangible manifestation of this vision. It presents a wide spectrum, from the prominent masters of the 20th and early 21st centuries to contemporary talents of the 21st century. Through this exhibition, visitors can observe not only the harmony of colour and form, but also an intergenerational dialogue-how the past and the present converge through the language of art.’

In his address, gallery co-founder Nijat Panahli congratulated attendees on the upcoming Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year, adding:

‘My wish is that in the coming years people will increasingly give works of art as gifts, thereby supporting artists and expressing their solidarity through these meaningful gestures.’

Following the speeches, guests watched a video presentation showcasing the pre-opening preparations by architect-designer Ruslan Solnaryov, the author of the gallery’s design project and visual symbol.

The exhibition will remain open until 18 January 2026.

PAINTING

Hafiz Mammadov, Elb?y Rzaquliyev, Rasim Babayev, Arif Hseynov, Sirus Mirz?zad?, F?rman Qulamov, L?taf?t M?mm?dova, ?sm?r Narimanb?yova, Ayt?n Rzaquliyeva, Yelena Haqverdiyeva, Inna Kostina, Kamilla Eldarova, R?sad Mehdiyev, Vqar ?li, Miraz?r Abdullayev, R?sad Babayev, Orxan Hseynov, Emin ?sg?rov, Butunay Haqverdiyev, Z?rnisan Yusif, Ramal Kazimov, Mehriban S?ms?dinskaya, Arzu C?f?rova, Xaqan Bayramov

GRAPHICS

Mikayil Abdullayev, Togrul N?rimanb?yov, Rasim Babayev, Rafiq Mehdiyev, Ucal Haqverdiyev, Ayt?n Sirzadova, S?hla Q?hr?manli, N?rmin Abdullayeva

SCULPTURE

Öm?r Eldarov, Aslan Rst?mov, Fuad Salayev, Xanlar ?hm?dov, Sahib Quliyev, Zakir ?hm?dov, Mahmud Rst?mov, K?nan ?liyev, S?nan C?f?rov, X?qan ?hm?dov, Kamran ?s?dov, Vqar Quliyev, Msfiq Heyd?rov, Çinar? Baxsiyeva, Samir Kaçayev, Jal? ?liyeva

The Azerbaijan Badminton Federation has held its General Assembly at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Azernews reports.

The event opened with the performance of the Azerbaijan National Anthem.

Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov welcomed the participants and wished them success. Following the approval of the meeting’s agenda, Secretary General Ramil Hajiyev presented a report covering the Federation’s activities, competitions, and achievements from 2022 to 2025.

The report was subsequently endorsed through voting.

The Federation’s Statute was then adopted in a revised edition, and elections for leadership positions were conducted. As a result of the vote, Taleh Ziyadov was re-elected as president for another four-year term.

Kamala Shahbazova and Teymur Huseynov were elected Vice-Presidents, while Jeyhun Mammadaliyev and Natavan Mammadova joined the Board of Directors.

In his closing remarks, President Taleh Ziyadov expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him and outlined the Federation’s plans for the upcoming period.

The Azerbaijan Badminton Federation is considered an active partner within the global and European badminton communities.

Founded in 1962, the federation has become one of the most active members of the world badminton family with international tournaments, development programs and strategic partnerships.

In 2023, Baku hosted the Congress of the Badminton Europe Confederation for the first time.

The large-scale event covered the issues on the agenda of badminton competitions during the preparation period for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

The motto of the Congress was Inclusive Badminton, celebrating the accessibility of badminton for all.