Category: Azer News

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived at the Palace of the Nation in Dushanbe to take part in the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council, Azernews reports.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

Efforts to support entrepreneurs through concessional financial mechanisms were discussed during a meeting between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, a meeting was held with representatives of Kazakhstan’s DAMU Entrepreneurship Development Fund at the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund.

During the meeting, the sides reviewed the steps taken to support business entities through preferential financial instruments. They also exchanged views on the progress made under the memorandum of understanding signed between the two institutions, and discussed prospects for future cooperation.

Kylian Mbappé has emphasized the importance of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match against Azerbaijan, stressing that the French national team must give it their full attention before turning their focus to Iceland, Azernews reports.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Paris, the 27-year-old forward remarked that every game presents unique challenges, and securing a win remains crucial. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s recent draw with Ukraine in Baku, noting that this result demonstrated the team’s resilience and should not be underestimated.

“This match is just as important as the one against Iceland,” Mbappé said, underlining that the ultimate objective is to qualify for the World Cup. He added that the team must remain fully committed until that goal is achieved.

Discussing his own readiness, the French star confirmed that he felt physically fit and prepared to play. He expressed confidence in his ability to contribute and mentioned that the head coach had no objections to his involvement. Mbappé also noted that he would be participating in the final training session ahead of the fixture and reported no health concerns.

The France vs. Azerbaijan qualifier is set to take place on October 10 at the Parc des Princes stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 22:45 (Baku time).

Azerbaijan National Art Museum has opened an exhibition “Old Baku: Longing and Emotions” by Honored Artist and Professor Arif Alasgarov, Azernews reports.

Over 60 works created by the artist in different years are showcased at the exhibition, organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan National Art Museum. The retrospective exhibition covers both Arif Alasgarov’s classic works and his more recent graphic and painting pieces.

During the opening, director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum Shirin Malikova, People’s Artist Arif Huseynov, First Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, People’s Artist, Professor Salhab Mammadov, Vice-Rector of the Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts, People’s Artist, Professor Fuad Salayev, Advisor to the Rector of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, Honored Art Worker, Professor Valida Mammadova, and the Head of the “Design” Department at the Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts, Associate Professor Faig Dadashov delivered speeches.

They highlighted the artist’s invaluable contributions to Azerbaijani visual arts through his multifaceted creativity, shared memorable experiences of collaborating with him, and reflected on his pioneering achievements in the field of art education.

At the end of the event, Honored Artist and Professor Arif Alasgarov expressed his gratitude for the comments on his work and for the value placed on art in general.

Following the speeches, the participants had the opportunity to explore the exhibition in more detail.

The exhibition features the artist’s works in both graphic arts and painting, reflecting themes such as the lives of ordinary people, intergenerational relationships, love, the meaning and beginning of existence.

A special focus in many of his paintings is Icherisheher (the Old City), which embodies the nostalgic spirit of Baku and the poetic bridge he has created between the past and the present.

The exhibition “Old Baku: Longing and Emotions” will be open to visitors until October 26.

Established in 1937, the Azerbaijan National Art Museum presents art lovers with outstanding examples of Western European decorative and applied arts.

The museum’s permanent collection features over 3,000 works displayed across 60 galleries, with an additional 12,000 pieces preserved in its archives. Visitors can admire masterpieces by renowned artists from Italy, France, Germany, and Poland.

The museum has also played host to numerous prestigious international exhibitions, highlighting the works of world-famous artists.

These exhibitions have not only drawn the attention of art enthusiasts but have also played a significant role in fostering cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other nations.

An expanded meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council was held in Dushanbe on October 10, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the event.

Speeches were delivered by President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev, and Tatyana Moskalkova, Chairwoman of the CIS Human Rights Commission and Russian Human Rights Commissioner.

The event concluded with the signing of final documents.

During the meeting, President Emomali Rahmon was awarded the ‘For Merits in the Development of Humanitarian Cooperation’ medal.

Azerbaijan will host Art Has No Borders International Watercolor Festival for the first time, Azernews reports. The official opening will take place on October 14 at the Khatai Arts Center.

This festival is more than just an exhibition, it is a true celebration of creativity and the transformative power of art. Its aim is to highlight the healing potential of painting, support the creative abilities of children and youth with special needs, assist their social integration, and inspire a deep appreciation for art in everyone. As part of the event, there will be masterclasses and open-air painting sessions (plein airs) for both young and adult artists with special needs.

The festival will bring together 18 renowned watercolor artists from 12 countries, including Azerbaijan, Spain, Slovakia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkiye, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Russia, Canada, India, and others. The artists will not only present their works but also deliver live art performances.

Around 30 of the best works will be displayed at the opening ceremony. All participants will receive international certificates and commemorative gifts from sponsors. The artworks will also be compiled into a digital catalog.

The program begins on October 14 at the Khatai Arts Center with the official opening ceremony, an exhibition featuring artists with special needs alongside invited masters, and a series of demonstration performances. On October 15, participants will take an excursion to Gobustan to explore Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage. The festival concludes on October 16 at the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan with a joint exhibition of national and international artists and a closing ceremony.

The motto of the festival is: “The world is beautiful in color! Let’s unite our worlds through the power of art!”

The event is organized by IWS Art for Healing (International Watercolor Society), with support from Pasha Holding, Khatai Arts Center, artist Mehriban Alishova, IWS Azerbaijan, IWS Khatai Arts Center, IWS Ecaz Art, the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts,Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint-Stock Company, and the Khatai District Executive Power.

Curators of the event are Elminaz Gahramanova and Sabina Iskandar, and the coordinators are Rahim Ibrahimov and Yashar Birinci.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially designated Google with Strategic Market Status (SMS) in both general search and search advertising services. This follows a months-long investigation launched in January under the UK’s new digital markets regime, which came into effect on January 1, 2025, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The CMA confirmed that Google holds “substantial and entrenched market power,” with over 90% of all online searches in the UK conducted on its platform. While Google’s Gemini AI assistant was excluded from the SMS designation, other AI-driven features such as AI Overviews and AI Mode were included.

It’s important to note that the SMS designation is not an accusation of wrongdoing, but rather a regulatory tool that empowers the CMA to explore potential interventions aimed at promoting fairer competition in the digital market later this year.

The UK’s new digital markets regime is one of the world’s most ambitious attempts to regulate the tech giants. By targeting firms with SMS, the CMA aims to ensure that dominant platforms like Google cannot unfairly stifle innovation or disadvantage smaller competitors in rapidly evolving fields such as AI-powered search.

Azerbaijan is actively participating in vital international platforms around the world, reflecting its commitment to a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has positioned itself as a reliable and independent actor in global affairs – strengthening ties not only with its neighbors but also with partners stretching from Asia to the West. This strategic approach has earned Baku increasing international trust and reinforced its role as a bridge between regional blocs.

A clear example of this balanced diplomacy is Azerbaijan’s active engagement in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The most recent CIS Council of Heads of State meeting, held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, once again highlighted Baku’s strategic use of multilateral platforms to enhance regional cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev’s participation and his bilateral meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon reinforced Azerbaijan’s commitment to strong regional partnerships, particularly with fellow post-Soviet states.

‘Relations [between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan] are founded on brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support,..’ said President Aliyev during a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council, underscoring the human and cultural bonds that underpin the political dialogue.

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan date back to 1992, but it is the consistent high-level engagement – including the 2007 agreement on friendship and cooperation – that has given depth to this partnership. Both countries cooperate across a wide spectrum of sectors: economy, transport, culture, and energy. Importantly, their alignment within regional frameworks such as the CIS, OIC, and TRACECA has allowed them to coordinate on broader Eurasian issues.

President Ilham Aliyev’s comments during the meeting in Dushanbe were not only reflective but forward-looking. Praising Tajikistan’s urban transformation – ‘…Dushanbe is becoming more beautiful year by year,’ he said – President Aliyev signaled the importance of people-centered development as a shared priority among CIS nations.

Although some view the CIS as a symbolic structure of post-Soviet unity, Azerbaijan uses the organization pragmatically – not as a nostalgic project, but as a platform to pursue strategic, issue-based cooperation. Baku’s participation is targeted, selective, and aligned with national interests.

For example, Azerbaijan continues to support regional security initiatives, such as the 2022 CIS agreement on anti-corruption cooperation and the 2023-2025 Program on Combating Terrorism and Extremism. President Aliyev’s presence in Dushanbe reinforces the notion that Azerbaijan sees value in joint responses to cross-border threats – even while pursuing independent foreign and economic policies.

In his speech at the meeting, President Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s recent role as a cultural and sporting host within the CIS framework:

‘Guests of the event witnessed firsthand the rapid revival of Lachin following its liberation from 30 years of Armenian occupation. A city that was completely destroyed has, in just a few years, transformed into one of the most beautiful and livable cities.’ he said, thanking fellow CIS leaders for naming Lachin the 2024 Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth.

This statement serves dual purposes: demonstrating Azerbaijan’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, and subtly reinforcing its sovereignty over formerly occupied territories – now rapidly rebuilt and reintegrated.

Moreover, President Aliyev noted the successful hosting of the 3rd CIS Games in Azerbaijan, which brought together over 1,600 athletes from 13 nations. Cities like Ganja, Sheki, and even Khankendi – a city recently reintegrated into Azerbaijan’s administrative system – played host, highlighting Baku’s push to showcase normalization and national unity through soft power.

Azerbaijan’s active presence in Dushanbe also comes at a time of wider regional recalibration. The South Caucasus is undergoing significant geopolitical shifts following Azerbaijan’s full restoration of sovereignty over Garabagh. Meanwhile, Central Asian countries like Tajikistan are seeking to diversify external partnerships and strengthen ties with dynamically developing economies, such as Azerbaijan.

In this context, Baku presents itself as a bridge between East and West, North and South – a transit hub with a growing portfolio in energy, logistics, and digital infrastructure. For countries like Tajikistan, partnering with Azerbaijan offers access to Caspian transport corridors, energy projects, and modern digital frameworks.

The Dushanbe summit reaffirmed that Azerbaijan will continue to approach the CIS with selective multilateralism – engaging when and where its national interests align, and reinforcing bilateral partnerships within the broader framework. Baku’s diplomacy in the CIS is not about symbolic participation but strategic leverage – using soft power (such as cultural capital and sports diplomacy) while also contributing meaningfully to hard security issues and infrastructure integration.

As President Aliyev noted, the foundation of relations with Tajikistan – and by extension, many CIS states – is not merely political alignment, but ‘brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support.’ In a world of shifting alliances, that foundation continues to offer both countries an adaptable and resilient platform for cooperation.

Chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Ecology Sadiq Qurbanov and MP Kamal Jafarov will pay an official visit to Trkiye from October 12 to 18, Azernews reports, citing the Milli Majlis Press and Public Relations Department.

The Azerbaijani lawmakers will hold bilateral meetings in Ankara and Istanbul with representatives of Trkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Zero Waste Foundation.

During the visit, they will also participate in the Zero Waste Forum, which focuses on sustainable environmental management, waste reduction, and climate resilience initiatives.

The visit aims to further strengthen environmental cooperation between Azerbaijan and Trkiye, promoting the exchange of expertise in green policy, urban sustainability, and climate adaptation practices.

The Middle Corridor is emerging as a sustainable and secure alternative to the northern trade routes, said Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, during the Global Gateway conference in Brussels.

According to the minister, the route has become one of the most crucial components of international trade and reflects Azerbaijan’s broader strategic vision to create a unified space for physical and digital connectivity.

‘Our approach is based on the concept of ‘dual transformation,’ which combines traditional transport corridors with modern digital solutions to ensure transparency and trust within the supply chain,’ Nabiyev stated. He emphasized that Azerbaijan has built an integrated multimodal transport system linking railways, roads, sea, and air, with the Baku International Sea Port in Alat serving as its central hub and the largest logistics center in the Caspian region.

Nabiyev also underlined the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, a key link connecting China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe. ‘Recently, the government allocated an additional 100 million US dollars to expand the BTK’s capacity, which will significantly boost transportation volumes in the coming years,’ he said.

The minister revealed that Azerbaijan plans to establish direct connectivity between the Caspian, Mediterranean, and Black Seas, an initiative that will be supported by the Zangazur Corridor and peace efforts backed by Washington. ‘When asked whether it would be possible to reach the Black and Mediterranean Seas within 14 days, my answer was: ‘Yes,’ because we are launching the Zangazur Corridor and other strategic projects,’ Nabiyev noted.

An important stage in Azerbaijan’s transport infrastructure development is the expansion of the Alat Port, whose throughput capacity is set to grow from 10 million to 25 million tons annually by 2030, driven by a fivefold increase in cargo traffic over the past three years.

Nabiyev added that Azerbaijan, through close coordination with Kazakhstan and Georgia, has eliminated not only physical but also bureaucratic bottlenecks. ‘A Coordination Center has been established to optimize logistics and reduce delivery times. If in 2022 it took 53 days to deliver cargo from China to the Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi, today it takes only 12-14 days,’ he said.

He further highlighted that the number of container trains passing through Azerbaijan has grown from one in 2003 to 270 in 2023, with projections indicating a rise to 1,000 trains by the end of 2025.

‘Azerbaijan is not only investing in physical infrastructure but also in digital technologies for transport management, including real-time monitoring and data exchange systems,’ Nabiyev concluded. ‘This ensures that the Middle Corridor is not just a route but a smart, transparent, and innovative transport ecosystem shaping the future of Eurasian connectivity.’