Category: Azer News

On October 2, a powerful photo exhibition dedicated to Azerbaijani landmine victims was opened in Brussels, Belgium, Azernews reports.

The exhibition was organized within the framework of the ‘CulMINATION Point of Danger’ project, implemented by the ‘Gilavar’ Photo Club Public Union with support from the State Support Agency for NGOs of Azerbaijan. The ‘Fireland’ Azerbaijanis Union partnered in the initiative on the Belgian side.

Speaking at the event, Rashad Mehdiyev, Chairman of the Gilavar Photo Club, emphasized that this was the first NGO-led European exhibition series on Azerbaijan’s landmine problem held at such a scale. ‘After Munich, Nuremberg, and Paris, the photos we are exhibiting this time in Brussels can be called ‘talking pictures.’ They tell the stories of people whose lives were destroyed by mines planted by Armenia on Azerbaijani lands. We will not remain silent-the time has come for Armenia’s military-political leaders, responsible for this cruelty during the 30-year occupation, to answer. Our appeal to the world from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, is for the sake of justice,’ he said.

The exhibition features portraits and testimonies of mine victims. For example, the photo of Elmir Bagirov, who lost both legs after stepping on an anti-tank mine before the age of 18, is accompanied by his words: ‘Can a person fall into an anti-tank mine on his own land? It is difficult to imagine, but I survived. From that day my life full of suffering began-I lost my youth and both legs.’ Another photo shows Samir Alizadeh, who lost both legs and an eye: ‘One step, two explosions. You tell me what happens next.’ Similarly, Rahim Garashov recalls losing his leg while rescuing a colleague from mines buried one on top of the other: ‘What were they trying to do by burying the mines like this? Why so much cruelty? While saving someone else, I became a victim myself.’

Through QR codes attached to each portrait, visitors could access additional information and statistics about Azerbaijan’s mine contamination and the ongoing demining efforts.

Organizers noted that the exhibition will continue across Europe, raising awareness of the humanitarian tragedy Azerbaijan faces due to mines planted during Armenia’s occupation of its territories.

A trilateral meeting of government representatives of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran will take place in Baku on October 13-14, Azernews reports.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers, the delegations will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev from Azerbaijan, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk from Russia, and Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzane Sadiqi.

The agenda of the meeting will focus on strengthening cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics, energy, and customs.

Dr. Ivana Bozdechová is a distinguished scholar and professor at Charles University in Prague, specializing in Czech literature and translation studies.

Dedicated to advancing Czech literary traditions, Doc. Ivana Bozdechová played a key role in editing the “Classic Czech Short Stories” anthology, which has been translated into Azerbaijani.

In the interview with AZERNEWS, Doc. Ivana Bozdechová explained how this anthology opens a window into Czech culture, providing Azerbaijani readers with a rare opportunity to connect with Czech history, society, and artistic expression.

She expressed her hope that the anthology would spark further interest in Czech literature and strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries.

Q: Could you tell us a bit about the Classic Czech Short Stories anthology? What can readers expect from this collection?

A: This is the very first collection of Czech literature translated into Azerbaijani. It includes 14 Czech writers, spanning from the second half of the 19th century to contemporary literature. The anthology features a mix of classical and modern Czech literature, showcasing a variety of genres.

Among these, eight are living authors, including two women. The collection was designed to reflect the diversity of Czech writing, offering a blend of different genres and voices. The traditional Czech culture represented here will be a unique introduction for readers who might not yet be familiar with Czech literature.

Some of the authors featured are well-known internationally, such as Karel Capek. His work is often celebrated not only for his inventions but for its deep reflection on human nature and societal issues.

The collection aims to give readers an understanding of Czech culture, both historical and contemporary, through short stories that offer different backgrounds, characters, and life perspectives. It is a way to open the imagination and encourage readers to think about the world in a more expansive way. By reading these stories, one can reflect on how life is lived across different cultures and see common themes that unite us all.

Q: Can you tell us about the process behind the creation of this project and how it came to life?

A: I first came to Azerbaijan 10 years ago, when I began teaching the Czech language at Baku Slavic University. I started studying your country and the rich culture of the Azerbaijani people. Given that Czechs are avid readers, yet most of them are unfamiliar with Azerbaijani literature, I came up with the idea: why not introduce our readers to the works of Azerbaijani writers?! As a result of careful work, a collection of Azerbaijani short stories titled “Sari G?lin” was published, translated into Czech by Shabnam Asadova, with me also serving as the editor.

Now, our task was to introduce Azerbaijani readers to the works of Czech authors. Thus, the idea to publish the “Classic Czech Short Stories” anthology was born.

What made this translation process especially challenging was our decision to translate directly from Czech.

This ensured that the essence and subtleties of the original Czech texts were preserved.

With the publication of both books, my goal has been achieved.

Q: How do you think this anthology can help Azerbaijani readers connect with Czech culture?

A: I believe this anthology can help Azerbaijani readers better understand Czech culture and values. Literature plays an important role in bridging cultural gaps, and this collection offers a window into Czech traditions, history, and society. Just as Azerbaijani literature reflects the unique character of this country, Czech literature expresses our own cultural identity, and through it, we share many common themes such as human emotions, social dynamics, and universal experiences.

In both Czech and Azerbaijani cultures, literature and music are central to our identities.

We both have a long history of appreciating art, and we share a deep connection to storytelling.

I believe this anthology will allow Azerbaijani readers to see these connections and appreciate the shared values between our cultures.

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce Czech literature to the people of Azerbaijan.

It has been a pleasure to work on this project, and I am thrilled to see it reach Azerbaijani readers.

Azerbaijan’s successful diplomacy is gaining momentum day by day. Under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the country is achieving remarkable progress – not only in its economic development, but also in enhancing its geopolitical influence across Eurasia and beyond. From energy partnerships to regional connectivity and peace-building, Azerbaijan is steadily strengthening its role as a reliable and strategic partner on the international stage.

On October 1-2, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in the 7th Summit of the European Political Community (EPC), held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The summit brought together nearly 50 European leaders to address shared challenges, including European security, energy resilience, migration, and hybrid threats. For Azerbaijan, this high-level gathering served as an important platform to reaffirm its strategic role in regional stability, energy cooperation, and intercontinental connectivity.

Azerbaijani President Aliyev’s visit was marked by several significant diplomatic engagements. His meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reflected a continued commitment to peace-building in the South Caucasus. Both sides reaffirmed the agreements reached at the Washington Peace Summit, emphasized the importance of regional transport links, and welcomed the formal closure of the OSCE Minsk Group structure, recognizing it as a step toward shaping new, modern mechanisms for regional cooperation. The leaders agreed to maintain dialogue and pursue confidence-building measures that support long-term peace.

During meetings with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Ilham Aliyev was congratulated on the progress made in advancing the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both European leaders expressed their appreciation for Azerbaijan’s constructive approach and reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting the peace process moving forward. They emphasized that achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus is not only vital for regional stability but also for broader European security. In this context, Costa and von der Leyen highlighted the importance of developing transport connectivity across the region, stressing that the EU views these infrastructure projects as critical for fostering economic integration and interregional cooperation.

The meeting also underlined Azerbaijan’s growing strategic role in European energy security. It was noted that, in accordance with the Strategic Energy Partnership Agreement signed between the EU and Azerbaijan in 2022, the volume of Azerbaijani gas exports to the European market has significantly increased. President Aliyev shared that Azerbaijani gas now reaches 10 European countries, including 8 EU member states, underscoring Azerbaijan’s emergence as a trusted and essential energy partner for Europe, particularly in the context of ongoing efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce dependency on single suppliers.

President Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations and emphasized that the achievements in the peace process are of historical importance not only for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia and the broader region. He noted that both countries have already adapted to the realities of peace and stressed that Azerbaijan remains fully committed to pursuing a forward-looking, stable, and lasting peace, driven by regional cooperation, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.

In a separate meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, both leaders emphasized the growing ties between Azerbaijan and Italy within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership. They discussed recent milestones, including the opening of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku, and the deepening of cooperation in energy, investments, education, and cultural exchange. These engagements reflect Azerbaijan’s broadening diplomatic scope, combining bilateral depth with multilateral outreach.

At the summit level, Azerbaijan’s support for the Middle Corridor – a key East-West transport and trade route – was also recognized. President Aliyev detailed the ongoing development of Azerbaijan’s logistics and transport infrastructure, which is helping facilitate increasing cargo transit from Central Asia to Europe. This underscores Azerbaijan’s position as a vital link between continents, particularly in a time of evolving global supply chains and geopolitical realignment.

Qarabag : A name of triumph in every arena

Interestingly, on the very day of President Aliyev’s meetings in Copenhagen, a football match was played between Qarabag FC – Azerbaijan’s leading football club – and FC Copenhagen, in Azerbaijan’s capital. Qarabag FC secured a decisive 2:0 victory, symbolically mirroring the success achieved in diplomacy.

The name Qarabag has, over the past five years, become a national emblem of resilience and achievement. Since 2020, it has stood for a new era of unity, development, and strength. Now, it echoes not only in political discussions and reconstruction projects, but also on international sports stages. From the halls of diplomacy to the arenas of UEFA, Qarabag represents victory.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, on the occasion of the country’s national day, Azernews reports.

“Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my most sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Iraq.

I highly value our recent meeting in New York and the exchange of views we held. I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to further strengthen Azerbaijan-Iraq relations and to fully realize the potential of our mutually beneficial cooperation, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks.

On this significant day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Iraq lasting peace and prosperity.”

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Azernews reports.

“Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and all your people on the occasion of October 3 – German Unity Day.

Germany is an important partner for us, and we attach great importance to the comprehensive development of our bilateral relations. Your visit to Azerbaijan in April gave a fresh impetus to the advancement of our cooperation, which encompasses a broad agenda.

I believe that we will continue our joint efforts to further develop the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Germany, sustain our mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, and enrich it with new content.

On this festive occasion, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Germany lasting peace and prosperity,” the letter reads.

On October 2, a ceremonial event was held to announce the results of the 7th Baku International Architecture Competition, Azernews reports.

Head of the Baku Media Center, also participated in the event.

Elbay Gasimzada, the Chairman of the Board of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan, stated that the Baku International Architecture Competition had been held for the 7th time since 2013.

He recalled that in the first competition, more than 100 projects from 20 countries were presented. He continued, saying, “We decided to continue this tradition and repeat it every two years. The number of participants has been growing year by year. In this competition, 270 projects from about 40 countries were presented. This competition is one of the 5 most prestigious competitions of the International Union of Architects. The jury has always consisted of 5 members, 4 of whom are internationally recognized foreign experts from the International Union of Architects. The competition, held in seven categories, is quite reputable.”

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli mentioned that, within the framework of the Baku International Architecture Competition, many renowned architects from around the world gather every two years in our capital to participate in solving the most important issues and contribute to the development of this field.

“President Ilham Aliyev provides sustainable and comprehensive support for the development of architecture. First Vice-President, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva is a patron of Azerbaijani culture. Mehriban Aliyeva gives special attention to architecture as an essential part of culture and contributes to the preservation, restoration, and transfer of cultural heritage to future generations. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and the head of the Baku Media Center, Arzu Aliyeva, also closely support cultural projects and are, in general, the closest friends of cultural figures and architects,” the minister added.

Then, the members of the competition’s jury were awarded the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan’s highest award, the academic Mikayil Huseynov Commemorative Medal.

Following that, the results of the competition were announced. The top three winners in each category were honored.

The event continued with an artistic program.

‘Gedik Kaynak’ LLC, a resident of the Neftchala Industrial District managed by the Economic Zones Development Agency, has exported another 100 tons of electrode products to Turkmenistan. According to the agency, the company will gradually deliver a total of 600 tons of products to the country, Azernews reports.

Registered as a resident of the Neftchala Industrial District in 2021, ‘Gedik Kaynak’ LLC currently produces electrodes in eight sizes, including two types. In the next stage, the enterprise plans to expand its product range by launching the production of stainless steel and aluminum electrodes.

As the only electrode producer in Azerbaijan, the enterprise has an annual production capacity of 330 tons. With an investment value of 7.5 million manats (about $4.4 million), it has also created more than 20 permanent jobs.

In addition to meeting domestic demand under the ‘Geka’ brand, the company exports its products to Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, while negotiations are underway to enter the Russian and Kazakh markets.

Maqsud Mahsudov, a member of the Azerbaijani team in trampoline gymnastics, has won a gold medal at the third CIS Games, Azernews reports.

He scored 60.190 points in the men’s individual competition and climbed to the top of the podium.

Earlier, Seljan Mahsudova had won a bronze medal in the women’s individual competition.

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.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a post on his official social media accounts regarding 3 October – Turkic States Cooperation Day, Azernews reports.

The post reads: ‘3 October is Turkic States Cooperation Day.

It was on this day in 2009 that the Organization of Turkic States was founded in Azerbaijan’s ancient land of Nakhchivan.

I wish to sincerely congratulate the Turkic world on this significant day.

The Turkic world is our family!

Over the past 16 years, our organization has strengthened, achieved greater global influence, and expanded its membership.

The Organization of Turkic States has made a significant contribution to strengthening cooperation between our countries in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres, and to further consolidating solidarity among the Turkic peoples.

Azerbaijan will continue its efforts to strengthen the unity of the Turkic world. Our brotherhood is eternal!’.