Category: Azer News

A Pakistani media outlet “DND News Desk” has published an extensive article highlighting President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, emphasizing Azerbaijan’s balanced foreign policy and growing role in international diplomacy, AzerNEWS reports.

The article notes that President Aliyev spent two hours and 40 minutes engaging with representatives of international media during the forum’s opening session, answering questions on a wide range of regional and global issues. The event brought together 160 participants from 53 countries, including representatives of 30 news agencies, more than 60 media organizations, and 10 international institutions.

According to the publication, President Aliyev’s approach to diplomacy is based on the principles of peace, non-interference, respect for international law, and pragmatic engagement. The author describes Azerbaijan’s foreign policy as balanced and focused on advancing national interests while maintaining constructive relations with regional powers, Western countries, the African Union, and partners across Asia.

The article also highlights Azerbaijan’s active participation in international organizations, including its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as its role in major energy and transport connectivity projects, describing these efforts as key factors behind the country’s growing diplomatic influence.

Particular attention is given to President Aliyev’s proposals on reforming the United Nations Security Council. The Azerbaijani leader reiterated his long-standing position that the body should become more representative by granting rotating permanent seats with veto power to organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union.

According to the article, President Aliyev argued that such reforms would make the Security Council more inclusive and better reflect today’s geopolitical realities, while helping the United Nations regain its effectiveness in addressing international conflicts.

The publication also highlighted the President’s remarks on global security, where he stressed that external interference often prolongs conflicts and expressed confidence that peace could be achieved more rapidly if outside intervention ceased.

The Pakistani outlet further recalled President Aliyev’s comments on Azerbaijan’s relations with the United States, including his criticism of Section 907 of the U.S. Freedom Support Act, which restricted direct U.S. government assistance to Azerbaijan following its adoption in 1992. President Aliyev described the amendment as an unfair decision influenced by pro-Armenian lobbying, while also discussing the current state of bilateral relations between Baku and Washington.

The article concludes that Azerbaijan, under President Aliyev’s leadership, has strengthened its international standing through a multi-vector foreign policy, positioning itself as an important regional partner and an increasingly influential voice in global affairs.

The Women Helpline, supported by Azercell, continued to provide psychological, legal, and social support to women across Azerbaijan during the first half of 2026. Between January and June, the Helpline received approximately 2,500 requests for assistance, almost doubling the number of calls received during the same period last year. The increase reflects growing awareness of the service, improved accessibility and stronger trust among women seeking support.

A large share of requests concerned psychological support and cases of violence. During the reporting period, 548 women sought assistance after experiencing different forms of violence, including physical, psychological and sexual violence, neglect, domestic and social violence, as well as cyberbullying. Among these, 45 cases were related to cyberbullying, highlighting the growing need for support in addressing online abuse.

Many women reported experiencing more than one form of violence. Each case was assessed individually, with women receiving psychological, legal and social support. The Helpline coordinated with relevant government institutions and partner organizations to ensure that women received the assistance they needed.

Psychological support remained the most requested service, accounting for 698 requests. Legal assistance was provided in 384 cases, while 233 women sought support in accessing shelter services. The Helpline also received 171 requests related to divorce proceedings, 127 concerning socio-economic challenges, and 113 involving other social issues.

During the reporting period, the Helpline also received 98 requests involving suicidal thoughts and 54 cases related to exploitation and situations of vulnerability. In addition, 38 women sought support regarding healthcare-related rights, while 33 requests concerned access to education.

Legal assistance provided through the Helpline included legal counselling, guidance on obtaining protection orders, support in cases of forced marriage, and assistance with other legal matters.

Established in 2022 on Azercell’s initiative, the Women Helpline operates in partnership with the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the “Ümidli G?l?c?k” Social Initiatives Public Union.

The Women Helpline is available 24/7 via the short number 116111 and through its official Facebook and Instagram pages. Calls to 116111 are free of charge for Azercell subscribers.

Women facing difficult life circumstances or those at risk can also access information and practical guidance through oflaynqadinlar.az. The platform provides information on responding to violence, psychological, economic and other forms of abuse in line with the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It also explains the available support services and protection mechanisms, helping women better understand their rights and the assistance available to them.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, inspected construction progress in Bash Garvand village of Aghdam district on July 14 and laid the foundation stone of the Milan Rastislav Štefánik Secondary School, designed for 840 students, AzerNEWS reports.

Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, briefed the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Slovakia on the developments in Bash Garvand village.

Bash Garvand village is located on the right side of the Barda-Aghdam highway and railway line, 18 kilometers from the center of Aghdam city. The village, which remained under Armenian occupation for many years, was liberated on November 20, 2020.

President Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation stone of the village on December 24, 2023.

Construction of the village’s social infrastructure is currently underway, including administrative and service buildings. Plans also include a multifunctional administrative building, a medical center, a secondary school and kindergartens.

Roads with a total length of 35 kilometers are being built, while communication, electricity, gas, drinking water and sewage networks are being installed. Alternative energy sources will also be introduced to improve energy efficiency.

The presidents were also briefed on the Milan Rastislav Štefánik Secondary School, which will be built on a three-hectare site.

The school will include 35 classrooms, technology, military training and computer rooms, a library, and physics, biology and chemistry laboratories. It will also feature an assembly hall, a sports hall, a canteen and other educational facilities.

Solar panels will be installed to supply electricity to the school.

The school grounds will include a sports field with a running track for both students and local residents, as well as playgrounds, recreation areas and green spaces.

Following the briefing, the presidents laid the foundation stone of the school.

Slovak companies are participating in the construction of Bash Garvand village, while the school itself is being built as a gift from Slovakia to Azerbaijan.

The two heads of state also visited a newly built house in the village.

The village, which covers nearly 480 hectares, is being developed in two phases. The first phase covers more than 200 hectares and provides for the construction of 851 detached houses for 3,703 residents. Of these, 170 will have two rooms, 417 three rooms, 145 four rooms and 119 five rooms.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted on Tuesday that “anti-Israel obsession” is present in the European Union, AzerNEWS reports.

“We can see the obsession. We are counting on our friends in Europe,” he said during a press conference with his Czech counterpart Petr Macinka in Tel Aviv. He questioned the recent decisions by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, claiming that she was trying to “bypass” European foreign ministers and return the discussions about sanctioning Israeli settlers to the ambassador level.

Yesterday’s summit of the European Union’s foreign ministers failed to agree on the restrictions on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, despite Kallas’ remarks that all members of the bloc see them as illegal.

On July 14, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held an expanded-format meeting with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini in Shusha, AzerNEWS reports.

Following the meeting, the two leaders exchanged gifts.

President Ilham Aliyev presented his Slovak counterpart with a sword, while President Pellegrini gifted the Azerbaijani leader a pair of skis.

International referee inspector Babek Guliyev has received a new appointment from UEFA, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), Babek Guliyev will serve as the referee inspector for the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round match between Malta’s Hamrun and the Faroe Islands’ Runavik.

The match will be played on July 16 at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali, Malta.

The 2025-26 UEFA Conference League marks the fifth edition of UEFA’s third-tier European club competition.

It is also the second season to use the revised format featuring a 36-team league phase. Under these updated rules, clubs can no longer drop down from the Europa League into the Conference League after the league phase.

The final is scheduled to take place at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany.

The winners of the tournament will qualify directly for the 2026-27 Europa League league phase, unless they earn entry into either the Champions League or Europa League through their domestic league position, in which case the qualification list will be rebalanced.

“I am very pleased to be in Azerbaijan on an official visit, including in Garabagh and Shusha. It is a great honor for me to be here today. My colleagues and I have witnessed the large-scale reconstruction efforts underway here. I would especially like to highlight what you have achieved in such a short period of time. It is also a great honor for me that Slovak companies are contributing to the development of this region. I hope they will continue to participate in various projects in the future,” said President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini during a joint press statement with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Shusha.

Peter Pellegrini noted that the strategic partnership between Slovakia and Azerbaijan is not merely an official document or a formal diplomatic framework, but reflects a genuine friendship between the two countries, with many promising areas for mutually beneficial cooperation.

“Slovakia intends to build sincere cooperation with its partners, and Azerbaijan is exactly such a partner. Azerbaijan is the guarantor of stability and development in the region and a key player-a country where regional transport routes and logistics hubs converge,” he added.

U.S. publication The Floridian has published an article focusing on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s role in supporting the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, AzerNEWS reports.

The article noted that during his remarks at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, President Aliyev praised the Trump administration’s efforts in supporting a peace settlement and emphasized that relations between Azerbaijan and the Trump administration are at an excellent level.

The publication also highlighted President Ilham Aliyev’s comments that Trump’s approach to international conflicts differs from the policies pursued by previous U.S. administrations.

The article cited President Ilham Aliyev’s statement that Trump and his team helped create the conditions necessary for a peace agreement and that the U.S. side took into account Azerbaijan’s concerns regarding security and the peace settlement process.

The Floridian also recalled the historic meeting at the White House involving President Ilham Aliyev, President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during which the text of the peace agreement was initialed.

The publication further discussed the Trump administration’s decision to waive restrictions under Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which had limited direct U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan.

German defense company Rheinmetall has delivered artillery ammunition to Ukraine for the first time from its new production facility in Unterlß, Lower Saxony, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the information, the shipment includes RH1412-type 155mm artillery shells produced at the new plant, while propellant charges are being supplied from other production sites. The company said that more than half of the order has already been completed, with the remaining ammunition and propellant charges expected to be delivered by the end of 2026.

The next-generation RH1412 shells are designed for use with various 155mm artillery systems and are characterized by their extended range and high combat effectiveness.

Rheinmetall said it is expanding existing production capacities and establishing new facilities to meet growing demand.

The Dsseldorf-based company has increased large-caliber ammunition production since 2022 and aims to manufacture 1.5 million 155mm artillery shells annually by 2030.

Chinese authorities have reportedly begun quietly preparing for a potential political transition in Russia, establishing contacts with officials, regional leaders and influential members of the country’s elite who could shape Moscow’s future course, AzerNEWS reports via Wall Street Journal.

The reports claim that Beijing is expanding its engagement with individuals viewed as potential key figures in Russia’s political landscape following any future change in leadership.

They also allege that cases involving Chinese intelligence activities and the recruitment of mid-level Russian officials have become increasingly frequent in recent years as part of Beijing’s broader efforts to strengthen its influence.

According to the reports, China is pursuing a long-term strategy aimed at encouraging Russia to adopt policies aligned with Chinese interests while building mechanisms of influence intended to remain effective for decades.

The reports further suggest that Russian authorities have refrained from publicly addressing these alleged activities in order to avoid damaging strategic relations with Beijing.

The claims have not been independently verified, and neither the Russian nor the Chinese authorities have officially commented on the allegations.