Category: Azer News

On July 17, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Bernard Jörg Leopold de Garcia Klingl, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

The ambassador presented his credentials to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev then held a conversation with the ambassador.

Commending the development of bilateral relations, the head of state emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in the political, economic, trade, investment, and tourism fields, as well as increasing contacts at various levels.

President Ilham Aliyev wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission and expressed confidence that his tenure would contribute to the further development of Azerbaijan-Brazil relations.

Expressing his honor at being appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan and meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, Bernard Jörg Leopold de Garcia Klingl hailed the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The ambassador also praised the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Brazil in the context of COP.

Bernard Jörg Leopold de Garcia Klingl said that, as ambassador, he would spare no effort to further expand bilateral relations.

During the meeting, the sides highlighted the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Brazil within international organizations and underscored the strong commitment of both countries to multilateral diplomacy.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused on Friday Europe, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, of trying to steer United States President Donald Trump away from understandings reached between Washington and Moscow at the Alaska summit, AzerNEWS reports.

“We accepted Trump’s proposals in Alaska, and his European allies – and, of course, Mr. Zelenskyy himself – are trying to steer him away from these proposals,” Lavrov told reporters, adding that Russia demonstrated its goodwill regarding the conflict in Ukraine “many times” in the past ten years.

The top Russian diplomat also commented on the ongoing war in Iran, noting that security risks in the Middle East persist and calling on all involved parties to halt hostilities.

On July 17, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Saif bin Rashid bin Saif Aljahwari, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sultanate of Oman to Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

The ambassador presented his credentials to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev then held a conversation with the ambassador.

Expressing satisfaction with the successful development of relations between the two friendly countries, the head of state praised the fruitful cooperation in many areas, including within international organizations, and highlighted the strong potential for further strengthening the bilateral partnership.

Wishing the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission, President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that he would make a valuable contribution to deepening cooperation across various areas of the bilateral agenda.

Expressing his satisfaction with his appointment as ambassador to Azerbaijan, Saif bin Rashid bin Saif Aljahwari conveyed the greetings of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said to the head of state and said that the Sultan of Oman wished President Ilham Aliyev good health and continued prosperity for Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked the ambassador for the greetings and kind wishes and asked him to convey his own greetings to the Sultan of Oman.

The ambassador emphasized the significance of this year’s 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Oman.

Recalling Leyla Aliyeva’s visit to Oman earlier this year, he highlighted the importance of the meetings and discussions held during the visit, noting that they had made a meaningful contribution to the further development of bilateral relations.

During the conversation, the sides discussed cooperation in the tourism sector, noted the establishment of a joint investment fund, and exchanged views on the prospects for increasing its financial capacity in the future.

Another vessel has come under attack near the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, AzerNEWS reports, citing the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The UKMTO said it received a report of an incident involving an unidentified tanker located about 19 kilometers east of Khasab, Oman. The vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, causing minor structural damage to its port side.

No crew members were injured in the incident, and there were no reports of environmental damage, the UKMTO said.

“All crew members are safe… No reports of any impact on the environment have been received,” the agency said in a statement.

As of Friday morning, only three commercial vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the previous 24 hours, marking the lowest daily transit level since May, according to information from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Shipping data showed that many vessels either stopped before entering the strategic waterway or changed their routes.

The IMO has also confirmed 56 shipping-related incidents connected to the regional conflict, resulting in the deaths of 17 seafarers.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, holding significant strategic importance as approximately 20% of global oil supplies and around 25% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through it. Essentially, it serves as an energy artery for countries in Asia, Europe, and even the United States.

The strait separates Iran from Oman, and in some areas, the width of the shipping channel is only two miles on each side. Given its critical role in global energy supply chains, ensuring the safety and security of this vital waterway is paramount for international trade and economic stability.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused on Friday Europe, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, of trying to steer United States President Donald Trump away from understandings reached between Washington and Moscow at the Alaska summit, AzerNEWS reports.

“We accepted Trump’s proposals in Alaska, and his European allies – and, of course, Mr. Zelenskyy himself – are trying to steer him away from these proposals,” Lavrov told reporters, adding that Russia demonstrated its goodwill regarding the conflict in Ukraine “many times” in the past ten years.

The top Russian diplomat also commented on the ongoing war in Iran, noting that security risks in the Middle East persist and calling on all involved parties to halt hostilities.

Iranian tanker docked at the strategic Kharg Island was hit on Friday by two American missiles. Bushehr Province Deputy Governor Ehsan Jahanian told the state agency IRNA that the vessel was empty at the time, AzerNEWS reports.

M/T Belma, the tanker in question sailing under the flag of Curacao, was previously targeted in order to prevent it from docking at this oil export terminal.

Jahanian also reported that the US military unleashed a new barrage across the coastal Bushehr province, home to a nuclear power plant.

The Jahangir Jahangirov Choir of the International Mugham Center has successfully participated in the 4th International Istanbul Choir Festival held in Istanbul, Turkiye, AzerNEWS reports.

The festival, held under the motto “Voices of the World Unite in Istanbul!”, brought together professional and amateur choir groups from Turkiye and various countries around the world.

Festival concerts were organized at renowned concert halls and open-air venues across Istanbul. The performances by the Jahangir Jahangirov Choir received high appreciation from audiences.

The ensemble showcased the rich traditions of Azerbaijani choral art and the country’s musical heritage with a high level of professionalism.

The choir’s artistic director, Honored Teacher and Presidential award recipient Tarana Yusifova, said they were proud to represent Azerbaijan at the festival. She also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture for the attention and support provided to the collective.

The choir’s participation in international festivals plays an important role in promoting Azerbaijani choral art worldwide, preserving and showcasing national musical heritage, and expanding creative cooperation with musical groups from different countries.

The International Mugham Center is one of the country’s leading cultural landmarks.

The venue was established on the initiative of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, in accordance with the presidential decree dated April 6, 2005.

The center, which laid its foundation that same year and is known as one of Baku’s unique architectural projects, opened its doors in 2008.

The design of the building was based on the elements and shapes of the tar, an Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing mugham. The center was built with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

In 2024, the Mugham Center became the first cultural institution in Azerbaijan to be awarded “international” status by legislation.

The Center regularly organizes large-scale music festivals and concerts by highly acclaimed cultural figures.

It also takes important steps towards bolstering cultural ties with Turkiye, Poland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and other countries.

The International Mugham Center is determined to further expand its work and promote Azerbaijani musical culture.

Numerous projects are being carried out by the center in the direction of studying and promoting mugham art, including “Evening of Mugham Music”, aimed at preserving, developing, and promoting Azerbaijan’s rich classical and spiritual musical heritage.

The Jahangir Jahangirov Choir of the International Mugham Center has successfully participated in the 4th International Istanbul Choir Festival held in Istanbul, Turkiye, AzerNEWS reports.

The festival, held under the motto “Voices of the World Unite in Istanbul!”, brought together professional and amateur choir groups from Turkiye and various countries around the world.

Festival concerts were organized at renowned concert halls and open-air venues across Istanbul. The performances by the Jahangir Jahangirov Choir received high appreciation from audiences.

The ensemble showcased the rich traditions of Azerbaijani choral art and the country’s musical heritage with a high level of professionalism.

The choir’s artistic director, Honored Teacher and Presidential award recipient Tarana Yusifova, said they were proud to represent Azerbaijan at the festival. She also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture for the attention and support provided to the collective.

The choir’s participation in international festivals plays an important role in promoting Azerbaijani choral art worldwide, preserving and showcasing national musical heritage, and expanding creative cooperation with musical groups from different countries.

The International Mugham Center is one of the country’s leading cultural landmarks.

The venue was established on the initiative of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, in accordance with the presidential decree dated April 6, 2005.

The center, which laid its foundation that same year and is known as one of Baku’s unique architectural projects, opened its doors in 2008.

The design of the building was based on the elements and shapes of the tar, an Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing mugham. The center was built with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

In 2024, the Mugham Center became the first cultural institution in Azerbaijan to be awarded “international” status by legislation.

The Center regularly organizes large-scale music festivals and concerts by highly acclaimed cultural figures.

It also takes important steps towards bolstering cultural ties with Turkiye, Poland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and other countries.

The International Mugham Center is determined to further expand its work and promote Azerbaijani musical culture.

Numerous projects are being carried out by the center in the direction of studying and promoting mugham art, including “Evening of Mugham Music”, aimed at preserving, developing, and promoting Azerbaijan’s rich classical and spiritual musical heritage.

Azerbaijan is taking new steps to strengthen the professional capacity of its cultural institutions and expand its role in international cultural dialogue, AzerNEWS reports.

As part of the Concept, a professional training program titled “State Protocol and International Cultural Cooperation” has been conducted for employees of the Culture Ministry to support the development of human capital and strengthen institutional capacity.

The training program consisted of three modules and 12 sessions covering topics such as the fundamentals of state protocol, diplomatic etiquette, the organization of international events, cultural diplomacy, cooperation with UNESCO, and the practical application of international protocol.

The training was delivered by diplomat and expert Fikrat Pashayev.

Its purpose was to enhance the Ministry of Culture employees’ knowledge and skills in the fields of state protocol and international cooperation, as well as to strengthen their professional approach to organizing international events.

On January 14, 2026, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev approved the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Cultural Concept, a comprehensive long-term strategy designed to shape the country’s cultural development over the next 15 years

The initiative is aimed at harmonizing cultural traditions with modern approaches, safeguarding Azerbaijan’s national identity while supporting sustainable growth and strengthening the country’s cultural influence internationally.

The Concept outlines a vision for a modern cultural framework based on national and moral values, with a focus on ensuring systematic and sustainable progress across various cultural fields. Special attention is given to the Azerbaijani language, with measures planned to expand its role in cultural life, support its further development, and increase its recognition worldwide.

The strategy includes coordinated efforts to promote the Azerbaijani language as a dynamic means of communication and creative expression. Expected outcomes include the advancement of Azerbaijani literary language, the creation of new cultural and intellectual works, and wider use of Azerbaijani in digital spaces.

The Concept also emphasizes the importance of promoting the language internationally to strengthen its position in global communication. It aims to improve both the volume and quality of scientific, media, and literary content produced in Azerbaijani, ensuring its continued relevance as a cultural and intellectual resource.

Implemented under the coordination of the Ministry of Culture, the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Concept will be carried out in three phases: 2026-2030, 2031-2035, and 2036-2040. Each stage includes specific goals and institutional measures designed to guide the country’s cultural development.

The Turkic World Week was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 29 to July 3 to mark the commemorate the 100th anniversary of the historic First Turkological Congress.

The event was organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), and the Ministry of Science and Education, in cooperation with the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), TURKSOY, Baku State University, the Turkic Academy, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

The week-long program gathered officials, representatives of international organizations, scholars, and cultural figures to commemorate the lasting significance of the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku in 1926.

The events highlighted the common cultural heritage of Turkic peoples, promoted humanitarian ties, and supported the development of new scholarly initiatives throughout the Turkic world.

A major achievement of the program was the adoption of the Khankandi Declaration, a document that sets out future directions for cooperation among Turkic states in areas such as science, education, language, culture, and the preservation of shared historical heritage.

The declaration also reaffirmed the commitment to the values and principles introduced at the First Turkological Congress.

Trkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has introduced four new amendments to a 30-article omnibus economic bill currently under deliberation in the Grand National Assembly’s Planning and Budget Commission. The legislation, which already includes a proposal to raise the minimum pension to 23,552 Turkish lira, has now been expanded to provide substantial tax incentives aimed at accelerating the country’s nuclear energy investments.

The newly added provisions are designed to reduce the financial burden on companies developing nuclear power plants by introducing a range of tax exemptions and financing advantages throughout the investment process.

Under the proposed amendments, companies that obtain a preliminary license or a full operating license to generate electricity from nuclear power plants will be exempt from paying Stamp Duty on documents prepared during the investment phase. As a result, documents related to transactions with public institutions, the procurement of goods and services, financing arrangements, and investment loans undertaken as part of nuclear power projects will no longer be subject to the tax.

The bill also introduces a temporary amendment to Trkiye’s Value Added Tax (VAT) Law, offering significant tax benefits for nuclear power plant investments carried out under an investment incentive certificate. Under the proposal, investors will be eligible to receive refunds for VAT incurred on construction work related to eligible projects through December 31, 2045, provided that the tax cannot be recovered through standard deduction mechanisms and that refund claims are submitted within the prescribed time limits.

In addition, deliveries of machinery and equipment to be used in qualifying nuclear power plant projects will be exempt from VAT until the same date. VAT paid on such deliveries that cannot otherwise be deducted will also be refundable upon the taxpayer’s request.

However, the legislation includes safeguards to prevent abuse of these incentives. If a nuclear investment project is ultimately not completed, any taxes that were exempted or refunded under the incentive program will be collected retroactively together with tax loss penalties and late payment interest.

The proposal also grants the President the authority to extend the validity of these VAT incentives until December 31, 2050, providing flexibility to continue supporting long-term nuclear investment projects.

The omnibus bill further amends Trkiye’s Corporate Tax Law to facilitate financing for nuclear energy investments. According to the proposed temporary provision, the thin capitalization ratio applied to borrowings obtained by licensed nuclear energy companies from banks and other financial institutions will be reduced from 50% to 25% through December 31, 2045.

The measure applies only to loans obtained from banks and similar credit institutions and excludes financing provided by related-party companies. The President will also have the authority to extend this financing incentive for an additional five years.

The scale of the proposed tax incentives is considerable. Using the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, whose total investment value is estimated at approximately $25 billion, as a benchmark, analysts estimate that VAT exemptions and refunds alone could amount to between 125 billion and 140 billion Turkish lira over the course of the project.

When the Stamp Duty exemption and the corporate tax financing advantages are included, the total value of tax incentives for a single nuclear power plant could reach approximately 130 billion to 150 billion Turkish lira.

Assuming similar investment costs and current price levels, the cumulative tax incentives for multiple nuclear power projects could theoretically exceed 500 billion to 600 billion Turkish lira, underscoring the Turkish government’s commitment to expanding its nuclear energy capacity through extensive fiscal support.