Category: Azer News

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a telephone conversation with National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on June 25, AzerNEWS reports.

During the call, the two sides emphasized the importance of the traditionally productive cooperation in such fields as culture, science, education, and sports.

They also exchanged views on the priority areas of bilateral relations.

Deputy Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Academician Rafael Huseynov has addressed the 2nd forum titled “Turkman Heritage: Solidarity of Civil Societies” held in Baku, AzerNEWS.

The event was organized by the Korpu Turkman Heritage Research Center Public Union in partnership with the Azerbaijan’s Agency on State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations.

In his speech, Rafael Huseynov noted that Azerbaijan has gone through various challenges over many years to reach its present stage of development:

“Indeed, Azerbaijan has gone through various challenges over many years to reach its present stage of development,” he said.

Rafael Huseynov pointed out that Azerbaijan’s achievements are deeply rooted in its strong traditions of statehood, the determination of its people, and the significant contributions of individuals who have served the country throughout its history. He noted that the efforts of these figures have played an important role in strengthening Azerbaijan’s international recognition and global standing.

He also highlighted the importance of research and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Turkic and Islamic worlds. The academician stated that elements of oral literature, folklore, and spiritual heritage once heard in childhood from grandparents are now being systematically collected and studied in scientific form. This process, he said, is essential for preserving national memory and passing it on to future generations.

The forum continues to serve as a platform for discussions on the protection of Turkman heritage, the strengthening of cooperation between civil society organizations, and the promotion of shared cultural values across regions.

Under a decision by the Bureau of the FIFA Council, Azerbaijan has been selected to host the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and the 2026 FIFA Festival, AzerNEWS reports.

The tournament will take place from October 22 to 31, 2026. U-15 national teams from FIFA member associations will be eligible to participate in the competition.

In awarding the event to Azerbaijan, FIFA took into account the country’s modern sports infrastructure, world-class sporting facilities that meet international standards, and its successful track record in hosting major international sporting events.

The tournament’s staging in Azerbaijan is seen as further recognition of the country’s growing standing in global football and its ability to host prestigious international competitions.

FIFA approved the creation of the U-15 World Cup in December 2025.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of FIFA’s Executive Committee on October 2, 2025, it was announced that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan would jointly host the final stage of the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Note that Azerbaijan has maintained close cooperation with FIFA over the years, strengthening its position within the global football community through investments in sports infrastructure and the successful hosting of international tournaments.

The country has staged several major football events, including matches of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament and the UEFA Europa League final in 2019.

The 2nd forum titled “Turkman Heritage: Solidarity of Civil Societies” has been held in Baku, AzerNEWS reports citing Azertag.

The event was organized by the Körp Turkman Heritage Research Center Public Union in partnership with the Azerbaijan’s Agency on State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations.

Nearly 30 civil society representatives from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkiye participated in the forum. The event aimed to promote the protection of Turkman heritage, the promotion of shared historical and cultural values, and the strengthening of cooperation and solidarity among civil society organizations.

At the opening ceremony of the forum, speeches were delivered by Rizvan Nabiyev, member of the Supervisory Board of the NGO State Support Agency and member of the Azerbaijani Parliament; Sadaqat Yusifova, Deputy Minister of Culture; Arshad Salihi, Iraqi parliament deputy from Kirkuk and leader of the “Iraq Turkmen Front”; Tarik Sulo Cevizci, Member of Parliament for Aleppo; Khalid Gani, head of the “Azerbaijan House” in Lebanon; academician Rafael Huseynov, Deputy Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament; MP Tanzila Rustamkhanli; Hashim Kamil Mustafa, head of the Fuzuli Cultural Center in Iraq; and Orkhan Isayev, chairman of the Korpu Turkman Heritage Research Center.

The speakers emphasized that strengthening relations among Turkman communities and promoting shared historical and cultural heritage, as well as passing it on to future generations, are among the main goals of such forums. It was noted that preserving cultural identity, language, and traditions in areas where Turkman populations live is of special importance. The speakers also stated that Azerbaijan plays an important platform role in this field and is a key center for expanding dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity among Turkman communities.

It was further highlighted that systematizing relations among Turkman organizations operating in different countries, implementing joint projects, and deepening cultural cooperation could lead to stronger outcomes in the future.

Within the framework of the forum, the public association “The Culture That Unites Us,” supported by a grant from the NGO State Support Agency of Azerbaijan, presented a new musical composition titled “K?rkk oguz göz?li.” The lyrics were written by academician Rafael Huseynov, and the music was composed by People’s Artist Siyavush Karimi. The piece was performed by Honored Artist, renowned vocalist Ramil Gasimov, accompanied by a symphony pop orchestra and choir. The highly refined performance aimed to reflect the ancient Oghuz-Turkic spirit of Kirkuk and its spiritual ties with Azerbaijan.

The event continued with a panel discussion titled “How Close Are the Distant Ones,” inspired by the lyrics of the musical piece. The panel was moderated by Turkman studies researcher Elnur Mustafayev, Chairman of the Public Council under the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan. Speakers included Professor and Honored Scientist, Turkman studies expert Gazanfar Pashayev; Nebil Shahin Kifrili, Chairman of the Iraqi Turkmen Scholars Association; Esat Arber Hasan, founder of the Syrian Turkmen Platform and Syrian Turkmen Assembly; Eyp Kerem, Chairman of the Iraq Turks Culture and Charity Association; and Ali Bedo Mustafa, head of the Syrian Turkmen Associations Federation.

Panel participants emphasized the importance of strengthening scientific and cultural cooperation among Turkman communities. They noted that conducting joint research, collecting archival and folklore materials, and expanding academic exchanges could yield significant results in this direction.

In conclusion, it was stated that such forums and panels contribute to the international recognition of Turkman heritage, its broader discussion in academic circles, and the strengthening of shared cultural values.

The forum concluded with an artistic segment.

Azerbaijan has relocated another group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to several settlements in its liberated territories as part of the government’s ongoing Great Return program initiated under the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, AzerNEWS reports.

Tthe latest phase of resettlement has seen families move to the Karkijahan settlement of Khankendi, Hadrut settlement in Khojavand district, Shukurbeyli village in Jabrayil, Boyuk Galadara village in Shusha district, Ballija, Badara and Khanabad villages in Khojaly district, and Childiran, Vangli and Hasanriz villages in Aghdara district.

In total, 58 families comprising 237 people have been relocated. The resettlement includes eight families (34 people) to Karkijahan, four families (15 people) to Hadrut, seven families (28 people) to Shukurbeyli, three families (14 people) to Boyuk Galadara, two families (seven people) to Ballija, two families (five people) to Badara, two families (five people) to Khanabad, 13 families (53 people) each to Hasanriz and Childiran, and four families (23 people) to Vangli.

The families had previously lived in temporary accommodation across Azerbaijan, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums and administrative buildings, after being displaced during Armenia’s occupation of the territories in the early 1990s.

Returning residents expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for facilitating their return and thanked the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, soldiers and officers who liberated the territories. They also paid tribute to the martyrs who lost their lives in the process.

Among those returning to their ancestral homes is former IDP Sayara Khanaliyeva, who was forced to leave Shusha in 1992 together with her family.

“We were compelled to leave Shusha during the occupation. At that time, my children were very young and my youngest son was only one year old. I thank God for allowing us to witness this day and I am grateful to our state for giving us this happiness,” she said.

Khanaliyeva noted that the hardships of displacement were finally coming to an end. “When we left Shusha, my middle son was only five years old. Today, he is returning to Boyuk Galadara village with his own family and four children. Our joy knows no bounds,” she added.

Another returnee, Zaur Khanaliyev, said he was only five years old when his family was displaced from Shusha in 1992.

“Today, our happiness is beyond words because we are returning to our native land. Thanks to our martyrs and veterans, we are able to go home again,” he said.

Khanaliyev, who worked as a welder in Baku, expressed hope that he would continue his profession in his hometown. “This is a proud and historic day for us. Together with my wife and four children, we are moving to Boyuk Galadara village. From now on, we will live, work and raise our children on our native land,” he said.

The Great Return program remains one of Azerbaijan’s largest post-conflict reconstruction initiatives, aimed at restoring life in the liberated territories and enabling thousands of former IDPs to return to their homes after more than three decades of displacement.

The price of Brent crude futures for August delivery fell below $73 per barrel for the first time since February 27 during trading on the ICE exchange in London, AzerNEWS reports.

According to trading data from the exchange, Brent crude was trading at $72.99 per barrel as of 05:01 Baku time, marking a decline of 1.02 percent.

The downward trend continued in subsequent minutes. By 05:21 Baku time, the price of Brent crude had slipped further to $72.89 per barrel, representing a 1.15 percent decrease compared with the previous trading level.

The decline highlights ongoing volatility in global oil markets, with investors closely monitoring supply and demand dynamics as well as geopolitical developments that continue to influence energy prices.

At the 2nd forum titled “Turkman Heritage: Solidarity of Civil Societies” in Baku, Deputy Culture Minister Saadat Yusifova highlighted the importance of preserving cultural continuity and reinforcing the connection between past and future generations, AzerNEWS reports citing Azertag.

“The Turkman heritage is a valuable tradition that has been preserved, nurtured, and passed down through centuries. Safeguarding this heritage, she noted, is not only about preserving the past but also about strengthening the bridge that connects the present to the future by drawing strength from our roots,” she said.

In her speech, Saadat Yusifova outlined that the primary responsibility for preserving this heritage lies with civil society institutions.

“Those who bear this responsibility are, first and foremost, civil society institutions. The state can create appropriate opportunities, but public solidarity, initiative, and cooperation are essential for the transmission of heritage from generation to generation. The achievements in this field are precisely the result of such cooperation,” she concluded.

Note that the 2nd forum titled “Turkman Heritage: Solidarity of Civil Societies” in Baku was organized by the Korpu Turkman Heritage Research Center Public Union in partnership with the Azerbaijan’s Agency on State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations.

On June 24, an international conference titled “The Right of Return and Self-Determination: Double Standards and Selective Approaches” was held at the U.S. Congress building (Capitol Hill) in Washington, D.C., organised by the Baku Initiative Group, AzerNEWS reports.

It should be noted that this event, held at the Congress, can be regarded as an important contribution to raising international awareness of the facts concerning the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis by Armenia.

The conference brought together experts specialising in the protection of the rights of refugees and national minorities, human rights advocates, international law experts, representatives of civil society institutions, and compatriots of Western Azerbaijani origin.

Speakers emphasised the importance of ensuring international attention remains focused on what they described as the fundamental right of displaced people to return to their ancestral lands in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner. Participants cited the case of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis who they said were forcibly displaced from territories in present-day Armenia as a result of policies of ethnic cleansing.

They also called for a legal assessment under international law of the systematic destruction, desecration, and appropriation of Azerbaijani cultural, religious, and historical heritage remaining in Armenia, including place names, mosques, cemeteries, shrines, and other monuments, as well as for these violations to be investigated and documented on-site by international organisations.

Representatives of Armenian media outlets operating in the United States, including members of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), observed the event from the audience. No incidents were reported during the conference.

Western Azerbaijani compatriots living in the United States shared their personal stories and experiences as refugees, presenting the humanitarian tragedy endured by Azerbaijanis forcibly displaced from Armenia. Representatives of the Zikh community stressed that the right to a safe, voluntary, and dignified return is not only a humanitarian issue but also a fundamental human right and a matter of restoring historical justice.

Oussama Jammal, Secretary General of the U.S. Council of Muslim Organisations, and Matthew Stewart, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of “Our Sister Our Brother,” addressed the conference, emphasising the inadmissibility of ethnic discrimination, forced displacement, and human rights violations. Both speakers condemned discrimination, forced displacement and rights violations based on ethnicity, while highlighting the need to protect displaced communities, amplify their voices in international forums and strengthen global solidarity.

At the conclusion of the event, conference participants adopted an appeal addressed to members of the U.S. Congress. The appeal underscored the necessity of applying the right of return and the right of peoples to self-determination consistently, fairly, and without discrimination, in accordance with the norms and principles of international law.

The document calls for international support for the right of Western Azerbaijanis to return safely, voluntarily, and with dignity to their native lands, as well as for the restoration of their property rights and the protection of their cultural heritage. It also reflects concerns regarding the rights of the Zikh community and the peoples of territories formerly under Dutch colonial rule, urging the U.S. Congress to take these issues into consideration.

The appeal stresses the importance of defending the right of return, self-determination, and universal human rights on the basis of unified and principled standards, free from selective approaches.

On June 26, the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest will open the exhibition “Azerbaijani Carpets – From Tradition to Contemporary Art,” AzerNEWS reports.

The exhibition is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Hungary, the Museum of Ethnography, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, and the global .ART domain registry.

The exhibition displays a remarkable selection of rare historical carpets dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries, alongside traditional textiles, national costumes, jewellery, carpet sketches, and contemporary artworks. Visitors will discover the distinctive carpet-weaving traditions of Garabagh, Shirvan, Baku, and other regions, renowned for their intricate floral and geometric motifs and exceptional craftsmanship.

The exhibition also includes works and carpet sketches by celebrated artists Latif Karimov and Eldar Mikayilzada, as well as contemporary artistic works by Chingiz Babayev. A special focus is placed on the works of multidisciplinary artist Medina, whose practice operates at the intersection of material, memory, and visual structure.

The core concept of the exhibition is the transformation of traditional ornamental language into modern artistic expression. Historical carpets are presented alongside contemporary artworks and immersive exhibition design, highlighting the enduring visual power and cultural significance of Azerbaijani textile traditions. Monumental carpets, contemporary paintings, and digital installations together create a dialogue between past and present.

The display of rare exhibits reflecting the art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving-one of the country’s most important artistic heritage traditions-will provide visitors with a comprehensive and memorable insight into this rich cultural legacy.

The exhibition will run until July 26.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project is currently in an active working phase, emphasizing that there are no political or financial obstacles to its realization, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking at a press briefing, Pashinyan said discussions on engineering, design, financial, and logistical aspects of the project are taking place on a regular basis.

“There is a continuous working process. If not on a daily basis, then at least weekly, engineering, design, financial, and logistical issues are being discussed. In other words, the process is moving forward, and if technical issues do not interfere, we want to see construction work on the ground already this year,” he said.

Commenting on Armenia-US cooperation within the framework of the initiative, Pashinyan noted that an important bilateral document is expected to be ratified in the near future, paving the way for the practical implementation stage of the project.

Armenia and the United States signed a framework agreement on strategic cooperation related to TRIPP earlier this month, marking a new phase in bilateral cooperation on regional connectivity and infrastructure development.