Category: Azer News

Representatives of Trkiye’s leading business organizations said the country’s economy has significantly strengthened over the decade since the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016, emphasizing that economic independence is an inseparable pillar of national sovereignty.

In statements marking the anniversary, leaders of chambers of commerce, industry groups, exporters’ associations, and business organizations highlighted Trkiye’s resilience in the face of global uncertainty, noting that the country has expanded its production capacity, increased exports, and improved its international competitiveness despite numerous economic and geopolitical challenges.

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Chairman Sekib Avdagiç described July 15 as a turning point in Trkiye’s modern history, saying the Turkish people not only defended the country’s independence and democratic order but also protected an economy built on domestic production and national capabilities.

According to Avdagiç, the public prevented attempts to transform Trkiye into a dependent economy and blocked efforts by international networks to undermine the country’s productive capacity. While acknowledging that the coup attempt disrupted economic and commercial activity, he said the Turkish business community recovered with remarkable speed and determination.

Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Chairman Erdal Bahçivan said the Turkish people demonstrated unwavering commitment to democracy, the rule of law, national sovereignty, and the country’s shared future on the night of July 15.

He stressed that the greatest lesson of the failed coup is that Trkiye possesses the strength and determination to overcome any challenge when united around common national values.

Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) Chairman Nail Olpak said the Turkish private sector continued investing, producing, exporting, and creating jobs throughout the past decade, reinforcing the country’s economic independence.

Olpak noted that Trkiye’s per capita income has risen from approximately $10,900 to nearly $18,000 over the past ten years. During the same period, Trkiye’s share of global exports increased to 1.07%, while the country demonstrated greater resilience against geopolitical and financial risks and deepened its integration into the global economy.

Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) Chairman Mustafa Gltepe said the failed coup sought not only to undermine political stability but also to damage Trkiye’s economic credibility in international markets.

He recalled that Turkish exporters resumed operations immediately after the coup attempt, keeping factories open, maintaining shipments, and assuring international partners that production and trade continued uninterrupted.

According to Gltepe, this response demonstrated the resilience of Trkiye’s industrial and export sectors.

Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MÜSIAD) Chairman Burhan Özdemir said Trkiye overcame the economic impact of the coup attempt thanks to strong political leadership, effective economic management, and the determination of the private sector.

He noted that despite global shocks, regional tensions, and economic volatility over the past decade, Trkiye has strengthened its industrial base and significantly expanded its export capacity.

Özdemir highlighted major advances in strategic sectors including defense, energy, transportation, and technology, describing the country’s achievements in the defense industry as one of the clearest indicators of Trkiye’s commitment to national independence.

Anatolian Lions Businessmen’s Association (ASKON) Chairman Orhan Aydin said the failed coup attempted to undermine not only Trkiye’s political system but also its economic independence.

He described the nationwide resistance displayed on July 15 as a historic moment in which the Turkish people defended both their sovereignty and their future. Aydin expressed confidence that Trkiye would continue strengthening its economic independence through national unity, production, employment, and investment.

Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) Chairman Seyit Ardiç said the Republic of Trkiye would never surrender to threats against its democracy or national will.

He said the unity demonstrated by the Turkish people on the night of July 15 sent a powerful message to the world and has become a source of inspiration for other nations, underscoring the enduring importance of solidarity in protecting democratic institutions and national independence.

The Azerbaijan Judo Federation has announced that Azerbaijani judokas won 109 medals at international competitions during the first half of the year, AzerNEWS reports.

The federation said that members of the national team claimed 29 gold, 29 silver, and 51 bronze medals over the six-month period.

The medals were won at international tournaments across the senior, junior, cadet, and women’s categories.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art worldwide.

The President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation is Rashad Nabiyev, who also serves as the Minister of Digital Development and Transportation.

The country’s modern judo history was laid by Mehman Azizov, who won a silver medal at the Old World Championship in 1998.

A year later, the winner of the World Youth Games in Moscow, Rasul Salimov, grabbed the bronze medal at the European Championship in Slovakia. Another national judoka, Elchin Ismayilov, became the European champion in 2000 in Wroclaw.

However, the achievements of Azerbaijani judo fighters did not stop there. Elnur Mammadli was named the best at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 73 kg division.

The list of the country’s top judo fighters includes Rustam Orujov, Irina Kindzerskaya, Mammadali Mehdiyev, Elmar Gasimov, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelim Kotsoev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei condemned the US attack on a location near a children’s cancer treatment centre, AzerNEWS reports.

Shahid Baqaei Hospital in Ahvaz was evacuated last night following the strike. “This barbaric attack, reminiscent of Israel’s atrocities against healthcare facilities, caused severe suffering and anxiety among the hospitalized children and forced the emergency evacuation of 211 patients undergoing chemotherapy,” the diplomat wrote on X on Thursday.

He called the incident a “cowardly war crime against the most innocent of human beings … who are bravely fighting for their lives.”

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has completed the latest wave of airstrikes across Iran. Air defenses, missile and drone sites, as well as coastal surveillance facilities, were struck in the newest round of US bombardment, CENTCOM revealed.

“CENTCOM used precision munitions to hit targets in multiple locations including Bandar Abbas,” the statement read.

In the meantime, Iranian forces responded with their own strikes on US assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, with reports also emerging of an attack in Jordan. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it downed an American MQ-9 drone over Andimeshk in the southern Khuzestan province.

A special performance of Uzeyir Hajibayli’s operetta ” The Cloth Peddler” has been staged at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre to mark the 65th birthday of Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Nahida Orujova, AzerNEWS reports.

On the anniversary evening, Orujova herself took to the stage in the role of Jahan Khala, one of the operetta’s most beloved and colorful characters. Portraying the wise, kind-hearted, and witty relative of the main heroine, the actress once again brought to life one of the work’s most memorable comic figures. Renowned for her humor, insight, and distinct national character, Jahan Khala has long held a special place in the history of Azerbaijani musical theatre and remains a favorite among audiences.

Nahida Orujova is one of the leading actresses of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre. Over the course of her distinguished career, she has created dozens of memorable stage characters, earning widespread recognition from both audiences and the professional theatre community. Her talent, artistic excellence, and longstanding dedication to the stage have been honored with numerous state awards and professional distinctions.

Following the performance, a ceremonial tribute was held in honor of the actress’s milestone birthday. Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Akbar Alizade spoke about Orujova’s creative journey, congratulated her on behalf of the theatre’s management and staff, and presented her with an Honorary Diploma of the Republican Committee of the Azerbaijan Trade Union of Culture Workers.

Joining the congratulations, Ilham Namig Kamal, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan and Deputy Chairman for Creative Affairs of the Union of Theatre Workers of Azerbaijan, wished Orujova continued artistic success and presented her with the “Teatr f?daisi” (Devotee of Theatre) Medal, recognizing her outstanding contribution to Azerbaijani theatre.

Kazakhstan transported 704,000 tons of crude oil through the Port of Aktau for export via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline in the first six months of 2026, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the monthly report of KazTransOil, the volume shipped through the Aktau port and the BTC route reached 108,000 tons in June, marking a 13.6% decline compared to the same month in 2025.

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Erlan Aqkenjenov has previously said the country plans to export between 1.5 million and 2.2 million tons of crude oil through the BTC pipeline in 2026.

For comparison, Kazakhstan exported 1.2 million tons of oil via the BTC pipeline in 2025, highlighting the country’s plans to further increase shipments through the strategic Caspian export route this year.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Csaba Lejko, President for the CIS and Central Asia at John Deere and Chief Executive Officer of John Deere Walldorf International GmbH, and Peter Sachse, Vice President for the CIS at John Deere, on July 16, AzerNEWS reports.

During the meeting, the participants fondly recalled President Ilham Aliyev’s meeting with Csaba Lejko in Baku last year.

The guests noted that the development they had witnessed in Azerbaijan had made a deep impression on them.

Touching upon John Deere’s successful operations in Azerbaijan, Csaba Lejko expressed the company’s interest in expanding cooperation with the country.

The sides emphasized Azerbaijan’s significant agricultural potential, highlighting the application of modern technologies in the sector. They also discussed the state’s efforts to support agricultural development and underscored the importance of the recently adopted State Program in this regard.

The meeting also focused on prospects for future cooperation between Azerbaijan and John Deere, with the sides noting the broad opportunities to expand collaboration across various areas of agriculture.

Founded in the United States in 1837, John Deere is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural, construction, and forestry machinery. The company operates factories and offices in more than 30 countries.

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential arms sale to Saudi Arabia involving up to 20,000 precision-guided missile kits with an estimated total value of $1.96 billion, according to the U.S. Foreign Ministry’s press service, AzerNEWS reports.

The Saudi government had previously submitted a request to purchase up to 10,000 APKWS-II (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) laser-guided kits for air-to-air missile applications, as well as an additional 10,000 kits for air-to-ground missions. The State Department has now approved the possible agreement, with the total contract value estimated at nearly $2 billion.

The proposed deal also includes related military equipment, such as LAU-131 launchers, Mk-152 warheads, and other support systems. BAE Systems is expected to serve as the main contractor for the project.

The U.S. administration has formally notified Congress about the potential weapons sale. Under U.S. law, lawmakers have 30 days to review the agreement and decide whether to raise objections or attempt to block the transaction.

The planned sale comes as Saudi Arabia continues to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its defense capabilities amid growing security challenges in the Middle East. The APKWS-II system is considered a cost-effective precision weapon because it can transform standard unguided rockets into guided munitions, allowing for greater accuracy while reducing operational costs.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov departed for an official visit to the Russian Federation on July 16, AzerNEWS reports, citing the ministry.

The ministry said that, as part of the visit, Bayramov is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on July 17.

The talks are expected to focus on issues related to bilateral relations and other matters of mutual interest, although the ministry has not disclosed further details about the agenda.

The visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagement between Baku and Moscow on a range of regional and international issues.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv is ready for a possible meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, with Trkiye identified as a potential location for the talks, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking in comments reported by RBC-Ukraine, Sybiha described Ankara as one of the world’s leading diplomatic capitals, noting that Trkiye has repeatedly played an important role in facilitating dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow.

“We support Trkiye as one of the main venues where a meeting between Zelensky and Putin could take place. We appreciate the Turkish side’s readiness to undertake such a mission by organizing a meeting at the highest level,” Sybiha noted.

According to the foreign minister, direct talks between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders could provide significant momentum to ongoing peace efforts.

Responding to questions about Ukraine’s position, Sybiha said Kyiv has concrete proposals for ending the war and remains committed to achieving a peaceful resolution.

“Ukraine seeks peace. We remain committed to all ongoing peace initiatives, including those involving the United States. We also expect Europe to play a new role in these peace efforts. Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire,” he stressed.

Sybiha added that reaching a ceasefire could be one of the most meaningful outcomes of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.

Trkiye has hosted several rounds of negotiations and diplomatic contacts related to the Russia-Ukraine war since the conflict began, positioning itself as a potential mediator in efforts aimed at achieving a negotiated settlement.

The registration process for the U-17 World Wrestling Championships, which will be held in Baku, has been completed, AzerNEWS reports citing the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation.

Based on the final list of participants approved by United World Wrestling (UWW), a total of 663 athletes, 272 coaches, and 64 international referees will take part in the prestigious competition, which will be hosted at the National Gymnastics Arena.

Overall, more than 1,100 guests are expected to arrive in Azerbaijan for the world championship.

In terms of the number of participating athletes, this championship will mark the highest figure in the past 13 years, while the number of represented countries will reach the highest level in the past 8 years.

The world championship, scheduled to take place from July 27 to August 2, will bring together future wrestling stars competing for victory in freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and women’s wrestling categories.

The Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation is carrying out all necessary preparations to ensure the competition is organized at the highest possible standard.

Wrestling remains the most widely followed sport in Azerbaijan and is governed by the National Wrestling Federation, established in 1993.

A major turning point in the nation’s wrestling legacy came at the Rio Olympic Games, where Azerbaijan distinguished itself as one of only two countries to improve its medal haul across five consecutive Olympic Games.

Azerbaijan’s success continued in 2020, when its freestyle wrestlers finished third in the overall medal standings at the Individual World Cup in Serbia, capturing two medals, one silver and one bronze, behind leaders Russia and Turkiye.

Further highlighting the country’s strength on the world stage, Osman Nurmagomedov claimed the 92 kg world title at the 2022 World Championships in Belgrade, overcoming a Russian rival in the final.

Most recently, Azerbaijan added to its Olympic record at the 2024 Summer Games, securing three bronze medals in wrestling. Hasrat Jafarov reached the podium in the 67 kg Greco-Roman category, while Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Magomedkhan Magomedov (97 kg) delivered bronze medals in freestyle wrestling.

The country has earned a reputation for successfully hosting major competitions, from European and World Championships to youth tournaments, welcoming athletes from around the globe with world-class venues and hospitality.

Cities like Baku, Ganja, and others have become key destinations for wrestling fans, showcasing Azerbaijan’s ability to combine a rich sporting heritage with modern event management.