Category: Azer News

The XIV round of the Azerbaijani Premier League is set to begin, with the opening match bringing together two of the league’s strongest contenders.

According to Azernews, Zira will host Qarabag on the first match day, with kickoff scheduled for 17:00.

Zira enters the round in second place with 26 points, while Qarabag leads the standings as the sole leader with 29 points, setting the stage for a closely watched clash that could influence the title race.

The XIV round of the Premier League will conclude on December 9.

The accelerating development of the North-South International Transport Corridor (NSTC) has become a focal point in Russia’s new economic doctrine, reflecting Moscow’s long-term pivot toward alternative trade partners and non-Western transport routes. More than an infrastructure plan, the NSTC is emerging as a geopolitical response to sanctions pressure, an attempt to reshape Russia’s connectivity with the Middle East, South Asia, the Caspian region, and the Indian Ocean basin.

At the VTB ‘Russia Calls!’ investment forum, Russian officials underscored that over 100 individual projects are now underway, ranging from the modernization of the Makhachkala port to deepening the Volga-Caspian Canal, expanding the Astrakhan special economic zone, and establishing new ferry and container connections with Iranian ports. Russia also highlighted emerging cooperation with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, two countries crucial to the corridor’s Caspian segment.

For Azerbaijan and the wider Caspian basin, this shift is not merely about transit logistics; it is about positioning at the intersection of competing, yet increasingly interconnected, transport arteries. The simultaneous modernization of Caspian ports, deepening of the Volga-Caspian Canal, and the emergence of joint shipbuilding initiatives reflect Moscow’s intent to anchor itself more firmly within southbound supply chains linking Russia, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean.

But the NSTC also raises critical analytical questions: Will this transform regional trade patterns? How does it interact with the Middle Corridor, which Azerbaijan has championed, and is the region entering a phase where transport corridors become tools of quiet competition between great powers? Or, conversely, does this expanding network create an integrated system in which multiple routes reinforce each other rather than collide?

It is in this context that transport expert Rauf Aghamirzayev offered his assessment to Azernews, arguing that the discourse should move away from rivalry narratives and toward functional complementarity:

“In my opinion, the North-South and East-West corridors should not be considered as competitors to each other. Their directions are completely different. If the Middle Corridor is the route for transporting goods from East to West, that is, from China and Central Asia, to Europe, then the North-South Corridor is the route for transporting goods from Russia to the North and from India to Europe from the South. In my opinion, it would be more correct to consider them as corridors that complement each other. Because the interests of countries in different directions are formed differently.”

Aghamirzayev noted that Russia’s intensified focus on the NSTC is not accidental, but rooted in pressing geopolitical necessity.

“Russia’s interest is clear, and in light of the recent processes in the region, it needs routes to the south like air and water. Its interest in this direction is also real. There is a growth dynamic in freight transportation. However, there is undoubtedly a need for infrastructure solutions in certain parts of the corridor.”

He highlighted that each country along the route is contributing in its own way, but some bottlenecks remain unresolved.

“In this direction, each country is doing its own thing. The most important missing element on the Western route is the Rasht-Astara railway. It is also being built by Russia. The construction is promised to be completed in March. Russia plans to build and hand over the 162 km Rasht-Astara railway with its own investments within the next 4 years.”

On potential cooperation in shipbuilding-an initiative mentioned by Russia-Aghamirzayev underlined Azerbaijan’s domestic capacity.

“As for shipbuilding, Azerbaijan has its own shipbuilding plant. The essence of establishing that plant was to both encourage local production and give impetus to the increase in foreign exchange flows and investments. In this sense, I think we can produce it ourselves. At present, I think that any joint production plant can be evaluated in the future, and undoubtedly, the relevant agencies have evaluated the issue.”

He concluded by hinting that new announcements may be expected soon.

“Perhaps, in the near future, information will be announced on the implementation of the projects planned in this direction.”

The Secretary General of the D-8 Economic Cooperation Organization, Isiaka Abdulgadir Imam, has expressed his appreciation to Azerbaijan for hosting the D-8 Youth Dialogue, emphasizing the value of holding the event in a physical format.

Azernews reports that the Secretary General made these remarks in a statement to journalists.

‘We are very pleased that the D-8 Youth Dialogue is being held in a physical format. The gathering of young representatives of the member countries here further increases the importance of the event,’ he said.

According to Isiaka Abdulgadir Imam, the platform provides an opportunity to hear valuable perspectives from young delegates: ‘Today, we will listen to the views of these young representatives on how cities can contribute to development and sustainable economic progress.’

He noted that his several years in Azerbaijan have allowed him to personally observe the relevance of such initiatives. ‘I have been living in Azerbaijan for several years now. I see the importance of this dialogue firsthand. Azerbaijan has gained significant experience in the field of climate action during its presidency of COP29. We want Azerbaijani youth to share this experience and the knowledge they have gained with the youth of other member countries.’

The Secretary General added that this exchange of ideas and expertise can make a meaningful contribution to the development of sustainable and modern cities across the D-8 member states.

The energy corridor stretching from Syria to Trkiye, and further from Trkiye to Azerbaijan, holds significant future profitability, US Ambassador to Trkiye Tom Barrack said during the ‘Middle East and Africa 2025’ event hosted by the Milken Institute Analytical Center, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the forum, Barrack underscored Trkiye’s pivotal role in the region, noting that it remains a key country not only for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia. He suggested that meaningful geopolitical shifts could unfold following the signing of a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan, renewing expectations for the eventual opening of the Armenian-Turkish border.

According to the diplomat, establishing an uninterrupted route extending ‘from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean’ would create a strategic channel that could help address long-standing energy challenges across the region. Such a corridor, he added, would unlock new connectivity opportunities and reshape the regional energy landscape.

Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, met with Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Misnad, National Security Adviser to the Emir of Qatar, Azernews reports citing Hajiyev’s post on X.

‘Today I met with my brother Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Misnad, National Security Adviser to the Emir of Qatar. We discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments,’ Hajiyev said.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Warner Bros. Discovery has entered exclusive negotiations with Netflix to potentially sell its film studios and the HBO Max streaming service. Sources familiar with the matter say this move positions Netflix ahead of rivals Paramount Global and Comcast, both of which have also submitted bids, Azernews reports.

Netflix’s offer, estimated at around $28 per share, could become the largest acquisition in the company’s history.

Industry insiders suggest that an announcement could come soon. Some analysts are calling the deal ‘the boldest shake-up in the media market in a decade,’ noting that combining Warner’s content with Netflix’s global streaming infrastructure could significantly reshape the competitive landscape.

The peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan has reached its most constructive stage in many years, according to a new assessment by the international rating agency ‘S and P Global Ratings,’ Azernews reports.

In its analysis, S and P emphasized that ‘the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan has entered its most constructive phase in recent decades. However, the transition from a high-level political declaration to a comprehensive, legally sound settlement remains incomplete.’

The agency highlighted that the US-mediated declaration achieved in August 2025 marked a major breakthrough. It established commitments on mutual recognition, accelerated border delimitation, and the reopening of regional transport routes – all considered essential steps in stabilizing the post-war landscape.

At the same time, S and P pointed to the remaining political barrier: Azerbaijan’s expectation that Armenia remove constitutional provisions that may imply territorial claims to Garabagh. According to the agency, this issue stands as the most sensitive challenge to finalizing a full peace treaty.

S and P stated that ‘the risk of a full-scale conflict resumption has significantly decreased. However, the lack of a formal peace agreement means that the process depends more on sustained political will and progress in technical negotiations.’

The report also noted that both governments aim to reduce defense spending in 2026 – a sign of declining military tensions and increasing confidence in the political trajectory of the peace negotiations.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population, Anar Aliyev, held discussions on strengthening cooperation in labor, employment and social protection with Kubaniçbek Ömraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), and Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Vedat Isikkhan.

Azernews reports that the information was shared by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population.

During the meeting, Anar Aliyev praised the efforts of the OTS Secretariat aimed at deepening cooperation among Turkic states in the social sphere. Highlighting the achievements of Azerbaijan’s recent social reforms, he expressed readiness to enhance collaboration with both member and observer states of the OTS and to share Azerbaijan’s successful experience in the field.

Kubaniçbek Ömraliyev noted that the organization is pleased with the progress made in expanding cooperation in labor, employment and social protection, stressing that the OTS Secretariat will continue to support joint initiatives.

The Ministry also reported a separate meeting with Turkish Minister Vedat Isikkhan, who was in Baku to attend the first meeting of Labor, Employment and Social Protection Ministers of the OTS member states. Anar Aliyev underlined that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Trkiye in these areas is steadily advancing.

According to Vedat Isikkhan, the strong partnership between the two countries will continue to grow within the OTS framework. He added that the first ministerial meeting, titled ‘Cooperation in the Field of Labor for the Common Welfare of the Turkic States’, held in Baku, represents a significant step forward in expanding relations.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on future cooperation priorities.

The Azerbaijan National Championship in Rapid and Blitz Chess for Men and Women has kicked off, bringing together the country’s strongest chess players, Azernews reports.

The tournament is jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Chess Federation (ACF) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The championship is conducted in 9 rounds according to the Swiss system, based on the FIDE (International Chess Federation) Laws of Chess.

The total prize fund for the men’s and women’s events is 10,000 manats.

Thirty-two players are competing in the men’s section, while twenty players are taking part in the women’s section.

The chief arbiter of the Azerbaijani Championship is Lutfiyar Rustamov.

The top three players of the championship will be nominated by the ACF to participate in the World Championship.

For centuries, chess has been a popular game in Azerbaijan, with ancient roots closely related to traditions.

The country could preserve these traditions as chess remains a crucially popular sport for now.

To popularise this original game, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, who is also the chairman of the National Olympic Committee, signed in 2009 an executive order initiating a state-supported chess development program, covering the years 2009-2014.

The 42nd Chess Olympiad, held in Baku, is indeed an excellent example of great attention paid to the development of chess games in the country.

The large-scale event attracted a total of 1,587 participants, including 894 in the Open category and 693 in the Women’s event, making the Baku Chess Olympiad a significant event.

Similarly, the FIDE World Chess Cup 2023 in Baku captivated chess fans with its high-calibre competition and exhilarating matches.

Featuring a highly competitive lineup, the World Cup provided an exciting venue to display the remarkable skill and strategic finesse of elite chess players.

Approximately 206 competitors participated in the open section, along with 103 players in the women’s competition.

The national chess players have always been taking high places at top-ranked tournaments.

The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused under articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism and other serious crimes, continued on December 5.

The open court session at the Baku Military Court was held under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov on the panel (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). The accused was provided with an interpreter in Russian, the language he understands, as well as a state-funded defence lawyer.

Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the panel of judges, the prosecutors upholding the state accusation, the interpreters and others to the victims and legal successors of victims participating for the first time, and explained their statutory rights and obligations.

The presiding judge stated that a group of individuals known as victims in the case had applied to the court in previous proceedings, and submitted applications noting that they could not attend the sessions for a valid reason, and that they confirmed the statements they gave during the preliminary investigations.

The parties raised no objection to the announcement of those statements in court, and it was confirmed they would be heard during today’s session.

Subsequently, the court session heard the announcement of the statements made by a group of victims, along with expert opinions, protocols, and other evidentiary documents found in the criminal case files.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for December 8.

Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).