Category: Azer News

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).

The Western Azerbaijan Community is holding the 3rd International Conference titled ‘The Right to Culture and Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Expelled from Armenia as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace,’ Azernews reports.

The conference aims to discuss the protection and revitalization of cultural heritage as a guarantee for dignified return, as well as a pathway toward justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace.

The event seeks to reaffirm the right of return as a fundamental framework for safeguarding and restoring cultural heritage, assess the current state of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in the territory of Armenia, identify legal, diplomatic, and technical tools necessary for its protection and revival, and promote heritage restoration as a means of fostering justice, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence.

The conference features panel discussions titled ‘Right of Return and Cultural Heritage: Legal and Moral Foundations,’ ‘Tangible Heritage: Preserving the Physical Foundations of Return,’ ‘Intangible Heritage: Revitalizing the Living Pillars of Return,’ and ‘International Cooperation: Mobilizing Global Support.’ More than 100 foreign guests and local participants from over 60 countries are expected to take part in the discussions.

The production of the new crime drama series “Mikrorayon”, set to premiere on Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (ITV) in 2026, is currently underway, Azernews reports.

The series will consist of 12 episodes, each with a runtime of 50 minutes.

The project’s executive producer is Sevinj Aliyeva, the director is Gulu Asgarov, and the scriptwriter is Geray Hasan.

The visual design of the series is overseen by director of photography Vasif Valizade, while the set and overall artistic direction are managed by production designer Vugar Gurbanov.

The series, which follows the different fates of five childhood friends in the criminal world, features many well-known actors.

The cast includes Eltakin Khan, Ulvi Hashim, Orkhan Iskandarli, Elshan Asgarov, Gudrat Fatulla, Masma Aslangizi, Elshan Rustamov, Tarana Ojagverdiyeva, Oktay Mehtiyev, Natavan Qeybani, Zulfiyya Gurbanova, Shovgi Huseynov, Zemfira Abdulsamadova, Abbas Gahraman, Fidan Bayram, and other actors.

‘Today, it is essential to intensify efforts to ensure the return of Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia within the framework of the right of return enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Status of Refugees, and other important international instruments. It is also important to initiate a process, with the participation of the international community – including specialized UN agencies – on the restoration and protection of cultural heritage. The right of return is one of the fundamental principles of human rights. Securing this right is not only about the physical return to one’s homeland; it is also about restoring the spiritual integrity, cultural heritage, and historical memory of society,’ said President Ilham Aliyev in his address to the participants of the international conference on ‘Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return’ held in Baku.

‘The restoration and protection of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Armenia, in addition to being a legitimate demand of the Azerbaijani people, is necessary in the context of respect for universal human values, closing the page of hostility, and fostering mutual understanding between peoples.

The Western Azerbaijan Community, which includes individuals directly affected by deportations and massacres, should be commended for its discreet and constructive approach, openness to reconciliation and dialogue, adherence to international law, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.

The fact that Azerbaijan and Armenia came together in Washington on August 8, 2025, with the mediation of the United States of America, the signing of the Joint Declaration, and the initialing of the draft peace agreement creates hope and confidence for the future coexistence of both peoples,’ President Ilham Aliyev added.

Azerbaijan is steadily becoming a regional leader in decarbonization, said Kangbin Zheng, Head of Delegation and Energy Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), during the presentation of a decarbonization project held today in Baku under the framework of ADB and Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) CJSC, Azernews reports.

‘A favorable business environment for decarbonization has already been established in Azerbaijan. This includes a solid legal framework, political guarantees, fiscal incentives, trading mechanisms, market access, as well as financial and contractual protections. Compared to other countries in the region, we can say that Azerbaijan is moving toward leadership,’ Zheng noted.

He also highlighted ADY’s strong commitment and effective measures in decarbonization, including trials of solar energy, electrification upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements. The publication of ADY’s 2024 Sustainability Report provides a solid basis for evaluating the company’s activities and early results.

‘Our task now is to further develop ADY’s achievements and accelerate the process. This involves assessing already implemented measures, learning from experiences in other countries, and expanding these efforts over the next five years,’ Zheng added.

According to the ADB representative, one of ADY’s main priorities is to increase both freight and passenger transportation while advancing sustainability goals.

For nearly three decades, the former Garabagh conflict was trapped in a cycle of meetings, proposals, and mediations that led nowhere. The OSCE Minsk Group convened countless sessions, yet the occupied territories remained under foreign control, and Azerbaijan’s sovereignty hung in limbo. When Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently released archival documents from these negotiations, Maria Zakharova’s criticism highlighted a technical breach of protocol. But beyond ethics, the files expose a deeper truth: the mediation process itself was ineffective, and the long stalemate required pragmatic action on the ground to restore justice.

The statement by Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, regarding Armenia’s release of OSCE archival documents has sparked renewed discussion about the Garabagh peace process. Zakharova criticized the Armenian government for publishing working documents and correspondence of the Minsk Group without consulting other parties, calling it a violation of diplomatic norms and a threat to the atmosphere of trust built over the years.

While Zakharova’s point is valid in terms of procedural etiquette, it cannot overshadow the more fundamental issue: the OSCE Minsk Group’s long record of ineffectiveness. Established in 1992, the Minsk Group held numerous meetings and facilitated countless proposals, including the package plan, phased solutions, and the 5+2 formula. Yet, decades of negotiations failed to restore Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Russia, as a co-founder and permanent co-chair, was deeply involved in this system, sharing responsibility for the repeated inability to secure results.

The recently published archives reveal the real dynamics of these negotiations. They include correspondence, analytical reports, internal notes, and letters, among which a particularly telling document is the 2016 letter from Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to Vladimir Putin. Following the April 2016 clashes, Sargsyan acknowledged Armenia’s strategic impasse and the irreversible shift in the balance of power favoring Azerbaijan. His letter underscores how Armenia sought to preserve the status quo rather than pursue genuine compromise, viewing the Minsk Group not as a neutral mediator but as a tool to leverage pressure against Baku.

This evidence confirms that the conflict’s prolonged nature was not due to the absence of diplomacy but to the inefficiency and bias of the mediation process. Meetings and consultations, numbering in the dozens over the years, rarely led to concrete action. Resolutions were delayed, proposals were diluted, and the status quo of occupation persisted. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan pursued a pragmatic strategy: building its economic and military potential, asserting its legal rights internationally, and maintaining diplomatic discipline until the opportunity arose to restore its territories decisively.

The 44-day war in 2020 and subsequent anti-terrorist operations broke the cycle of endless talks. The conflict’s resolution demonstrated that facts on the ground, backed by strategic planning, ultimately shaped the diplomatic process. The parties faced losses once again, and blood was shed; however, the ongoing conflict found a pragmatic and factual solution. The Armenian leadership has accepted this, regardless of how difficult it was initially. Today, the peace agreement that has been initialled reflects this reality. The result is clear: the peace treaty has already been initialled, and the status quo has long been dire; the progress is on the rails of success. The OSCE Minsk Group, despite decades of activity, could not achieve what decisive action accomplished in mere weeks.

Zakharova’s criticism, therefore, highlights a tension between procedure and results. The ethical breach of publishing archives exists on paper, yet the documents reveal the incompetence that allowed the conflict to remain unresolved for decades. The Garabagh case illustrates a vital lesson: diplomacy without tangible outcomes is ineffectual. Long-standing international mechanisms, no matter how well-intentioned, cannot replace strategy, patience, and pragmatic measures when national sovereignty is at stake.

In the end, the resolution of the Garabagh conflict stands as both a legal and practical vindication of Azerbaijan’s approach. It underscores that while mediation is valuable, it must be coupled with action, strategic foresight, and the willingness to assert rights on the ground. The OSCE Minsk Group’s failures serve as a cautionary tale, and the archival revelations demonstrate that transparency, even when uncomfortable, can expose truths that negotiations alone often obscure.

President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has sent a congratulatory letter to the King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

“On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend to you, and through you to your entire people, my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Today, there is great potential for the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Thailand. I am confident that by seizing these opportunities, we will continue our joint efforts to strengthen our friendly ties and expand our fruitful cooperation both bilaterally and on multilateral platforms, for the well-being of our peoples.

On this festive occasion, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, as well as lasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Thailand.”

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, held a meeting with Alexander Vinnikov, Head of the NATO Office for the South Caucasus.

Azernews reports, citing the Swedish Embassy in Azerbaijan, that the discussions between the sides were productive and focused on strengthening cooperation.

According to the information, Alexander Vinnikov arrived in Baku this week to continue consultations on the future development of NATO-Azerbaijan relations, as well as regional security issues of mutual interest.

During his visit, Vinnikov delivered a keynote speech on the NATO-Azerbaijan partnership at an international conference dedicated to NATO’s military education enhancement program and its role in supporting defense and security reforms.

The delegation also held meetings with local think tanks, NATO member state ambassadors, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Azerbaijan.

The visit was organized with the support of the embassies of Slovakia and Sweden in Baku, which serve as NATO contact point embassies in Azerbaijan for 2025-2026.

‘I won’t give an exact number, but there are more than 30 countries,’ she said. ‘If these countries don’t have stable governments, if they cannot provide clear information about who intends to enter the United States and help us verify them, why should we allow their residents into the country?’, Azernews reports.

According to U.S. media reports, Washington is considering expanding the list of countries whose citizens face entry restrictions or bans, potentially increasing it from 19 to 32 nations.

Earlier, Governor Kristi Noem proposed a complete ban on entry for countries whose citizens are most frequently deemed a threat to national security. Her statements came in the wake of last week’s attack on U.S. National Guard soldiers, which intensified concerns over border security and the vetting process for foreign visitors.

Analysts note that if implemented, the expansion of the restricted list would mark one of the largest adjustments to U.S. entry policies in recent years, reflecting growing debates over national security, immigration, and international relations. Some experts suggest that such measures could have wider diplomatic repercussions, especially with countries newly added to the list.