Category: Azer News

On October 1, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva participated in the opening ceremony of a new park established in Baku’s Narimanov district, Azernews reports.

Eldar Azizov, Head of the Baku City Executive Authority, informed the head of state and the First Lady about the park.

The new recreational area is located at the intersection of Ahmad bey Aghaoglu, Tabriz, and Talat Shixaliyev streets, near the Italy-Azerbaijan University. Covering an area of 3.5 hectares, the park features gazebos, an amphitheater, a tennis court, entertainment zones for children, and a modern lighting system. All necessary facilities have been created for both quiet relaxation and sports activities.

Azerbaijan has expressed gratitude to Great Britain for its consistent support in the ongoing normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to London Elin Suleymanov shared this on her social media account following her meeting with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the UK’s Minister of State for Europe, North America, and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty during a conference in Liverpool.

The 11th conference of think tanks from the Turkic States Organization (OTS) in Baku reflects more than routine diplomatic engagement; it underscores the growing strategic coherence of the Turkic World amid a period of global uncertainty. As multilateral institutions face mounting pressures and geopolitical competition intensifies across Central Eurasia, the OTS is positioning itself as a unique regional actor capable of leveraging shared culture, history, and economic interests to enhance stability and cooperation.

The conference highlighted how shared history, culture, and values create unique advantages for cooperation among Turkic states, while also addressing pressing issues such as geopolitical competition, the erosion of multilateral mechanisms, and transnational threats like cyberattacks and climate change. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening unity, fostering economic and security collaboration, and exploring the potential for the OTS to act as a stabilizing force in the region and beyond.

Azernews spoke with Professor Vasa László, Senior Research Fellow at the Hungarian Institute for International Relations and Trade, to explore the significance of these forums, the potential of the OTS as a regional actor, and the implications for both member and observer states in navigating today’s global disorder.

– What does holding the 11th conference of OTS think tanks in Baku signal about Azerbaijan’s role within the Organization?

These OTS think-tank forums are always organized as a side event of the Sumit of OTS head of states. It was in Baku now, as the OTS Summit is organized by Azerbaijan. Sure, these events allow to focus on topics which are important for the host country. This time we were discussing how the OTS can act as regional actor during the global uncertainties. Connected to this, we also investigated the future ways of the integration of Turkic states.

– In the current era of global disorder, what unique advantages does the Turkic World have compared to other regional groupings?

The OTS countries share not only common economic and security interests but also a common culture, history, and experiences from the past. So these make it to a kind of family, instead of just a group of different countries with same actual interests. The like minded OTS countries recognized that among the uncertainties, they have to act united, as they will be stronger together.

– With global institutions under pressure and multilateralism fragmenting, can the OTS position itself as an alternative or complementary mechanism for regional stability?

Indeed, OTS countries play a crucial role in Central Eurasia’s stability. For instance, no other groupings can negotiate with the Taliban government in Afghanistan. OTS countries are also harmonizing their activities in the field of defense and security, moreover, in the related industries. The Middle Corridor affects all Turkic countries and this fact itself pushes the whole region towards stability.

– What role can observer states (such as Hungary and others) play in broadening the OTS’s influence beyond the Turkic geography?

Hungary as observer is as active within the OTS as the member countries, initiating new projects, e.g. the drought research institute, contributing equally to the Turkic Investment Fund and in Budapest is the only foreign diplomatic representation of the OTS, where the costs are covered by the Hungarian government. Hungary as an EU member, can be an excellent base for Turkic companies and organizations for their expansion and operations in Europe.

– How might competition among global powers in Central Asia and the South Caucasus affect the unity and strategic autonomy of the Turkic States?

Deepening the integration of the OTS is the best way to maintain and keep the sovereignty. The big players are more and more interested for the Turkic stats, due to their resources and the fact that the Middle Corridor goes through these countries. But with proper governance and harmonized foreign policies, these influence attempts can be handled.

Azerbaijan Chess Federation has organized a master class for national chess players, Azernews reports.

Chess players between the ages of 14, 16, and 18, who will participate in the World Chess Championship, had a session with Rauf Mammadyarov, a three-time European champion and member of the national team.

Discussing preparation for prestigious tournaments, Rauf Mammadyarov analyzed various games and answered questions from the chess players.

Azerbaijani men’s chess team will participate in the European Team Championship. Rauf Mammadyarov is included in the national team roster.

The European Team Chess Championship will take place in Batumi, Georgia, from October 4 to 15.

The event features separate Open and Women’s sections, with each competition consisting of 9 rounds played under a Swiss system.

The 2025 European Team Chess Championship will showcase 75 teams, including 39 in the Open tournament and 36 in the Women’s Championship.

Chess, for centuries, 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.

On September 30, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held an expanded meeting with Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic.

Addressing the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said:

– Dear Mr. President,

Distinguished guests,

I sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan. We attach great importance to your visit. This is a manifestation of the relations of friendship and partnership between Italy and Azerbaijan.

We meet quite often in Rome. At the same time, this is your second official visit to Azerbaijan. During our meeting last year, I invited you to Azerbaijan, so I thank you for accepting my invitation. Today, the development of Italian-Azerbaijani relations is evident. We have already discussed several important issues. Our cooperation is multifaceted. We can state that it covers many areas, from energy to industrial production. Currently, our collaboration, which also covers the education sector, is of truly strategic importance, and I can say that the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed five years ago, is being fully implemented.

Our relations are also crucial for the development of the region in which we are located and have a positive impact on our relations with the European Union. Italy has always supported our efforts to build closer relations with the European Union, and we are grateful to you for that.

Of course, there are many significant results in the energy sector. We have already talked about this. We will now continue this discussion in a broader format. Of course, we can rightly congratulate each other on the results already achieved. But our plans are broader. The implementation of new projects in the energy sector, both in a bilateral format with Italy and with the European Union as a whole, is very important, and we are successfully working on these issues.

Tomorrow there will also be a wonderful event – we will jointly participate in the opening of the new building of the Italy-Azerbaijan University. This is, in fact, our friendship project. Only three years have passed from the start of the project to its implementation. In 2022, I issued a relevant Order, and hundreds of students are already involved in education. Of course, they will become ambassadors of Italian-Azerbaijani friendship. They will both receive a wonderful education and further strengthen the friendship between us.

I greet you once again and say ‘Welcome!”

X X X

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said:

– Thank you, Mr. President. As I mentioned during our meeting, I am pleased to be visiting Baku again. I am truly delighted to see you in Baku again after seven years. This is evidence of the deep friendship that binds our countries together and of the multifaceted strategic partnership between us.

Your visit to Rome is another vivid example of our friendly relations. We attach great importance, in particular, to the strategic partnership between our countries. These relations continue to expand, cover multiple areas and are of great importance for the future.

It is a great honor for me to participate in the opening of the new university campus together with you tomorrow. This once again proves that the partnership between our countries is not limited to the economic sphere. This is also an example of the high level of cultural relations between us and the fact that they will open new horizons for the cooperation between our young people in the future.

Let me express my sincere gratitude to you for your invitation. This is also an occasion for more meetings in the future.

The exchange of experience between media representatives and government communication officials, as well as the networking of influential figures shaping public opinion in both countries, highlights the growing significance of the joint Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan media platform.

Azernews reports that this message was delivered by Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during his speech at the 2nd Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Media Forum held under the theme “Digital Transformation and Media.”

Ismayilov recalled that the first media forum, held in Tashkent last year, was themed “In Search of Truth in the Digital Age: Combating Disinformation.” He emphasized that while technological advancement brings innovation, it also presents cross-border challenges that pollute the information environment.

‘Combating disinformation remains a top priority for both our countries. Last year’s discussions yielded practical recommendations, and this year’s forum continues in the same spirit by addressing one of the most pressing topics on the media agenda – digital transformation,’ he noted.

Ismayilov stressed that digital transformation is not limited to technological upgrades; it is a profound shift that redefines how societies consume information, interpret media content, and envision the future of journalism.

‘Today, news is no longer confined to traditional newspapers or television screens – it’s being shaped on smartphone displays, social media feeds, and AI-powered analytical platforms,’ he said.

He also highlighted a critical shift in media values:

‘While speed of information delivery was once the main priority, today, credibility, fact-checking, and public trust have become the most important values. The future of media depends not only on journalists but on the collaborative efforts of all public institutions.’

Concluding his remarks, Ismayilov emphasized that digital transformation is inevitable and requires active engagement:

‘We have no choice but to be active participants in this process. Through collaboration and shared expertise, we can turn technological progress into a powerful tool for national development and higher-quality information access for our citizens.’

The forum serves as a platform for strengthening media ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and underscores the shared commitment to responsible, forward-looking journalism in the digital age.

‘This is the second visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Azerbaijan. His first official visit took place seven years ago,’ President Ilham Aliyev said during a joint press statement with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

The head of state noted: ‘Today’s visit demonstrates that Italy-Azerbaijan relations are developing very successfully, and we are true strategic partners.’

Swimming competitions continue at the Ganja Sports Palace as part of the 3rd CIS Games, Azernews reports.

According to Idman.biz, Azerbaijani swimmers Ogtay Huseynov, Yegor Maynitskiy, Farhad Shirmammadli, and Suleyman Ismayilzade won the bronze medal in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay.

Athletes from Russia took the gold medal, while swimmers from Kazakhstan earned the silver.

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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Monday to denounce the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment from 1987, after submitting a bill to withdraw Russia from the treaty three weeks ago, Azernews reports.

The denunciation follows the Council of Europe’s decision to withdraw Russia’s membership in March 2022 as a consequence of Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine.

Russia’s State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin previously condemned the decision and claimed that Moscow’s requests for representation were being ignored, despite the European Convention’s principle of cooperation.

SOCAR Green plans to allocate more than 500 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity under a 240 MW innovative renewable energy project aimed at decarbonizing the Sangachal oil and gas terminal.

Azernews reports that this was announced by Elchin Tarquliyev, solar and wind energy expert at SOCAR Green, during his speech at Baku Climate Action Week 2025.

Tarquliyev explained that the company will feed electricity into the national grid and then draw it from another part of the country specifically to support carbon reduction at the Sangachal terminal. ‘This is a 240 MW project, and over 500 million kWh of electricity will be allocated for the terminal’s decarbonization efforts,’ he noted.

He also highlighted SOCAR Green’s focus on developing small- and medium-scale renewable energy projects, primarily targeting the business sector, including SOCAR itself. These projects are designed to help companies reduce both emissions and electricity costs, with power sold slightly below national tariffs. While the company’s primary focus remains on solar and wind energy, it is also actively exploring the potential of geothermal and biogas resources, which are currently in the assessment phase.