Category: Azer News

Hyundai Motor announced on Tuesday that its global sales fell 14.2% in August compared with the same month last year, reaching 288,574 vehicles.

The decline was particularly severe in South Korea, where domestic sales plunged 41.1% to 34,333 units, down from 58,330 vehicles in August of the previous year.

A company official attributed the sharp drop to production disruptions caused by labor strikes, as well as delays in purchases by customers who are waiting for the launch of new models. These factors affected both production and overall demand during the month.

By model, the Hyundai Grandeur was the company’s best-selling vehicle in the domestic market, with 5,931 units sold. It was followed by the Santa Fe SUV, which recorded sales of 3,596 units.

Hyundai’s premium Genesis brand sold a combined 4,545 vehicles during the month.

Despite the weak August results, Hyundai’s performance over the first eight months of the year provides a broader picture of the company’s sales trend. Cumulative global sales from January through August declined by 6.0% year over year.

The latest figures highlight the challenges facing major automakers as they deal with production disruptions, changing consumer demand and increasingly competitive global markets.

An interesting factor is Hyundai’s growing focus on new models and electrified vehicles. The company is investing heavily in electric and hybrid vehicles as competition intensifies, particularly in major markets such as the United States, Europe and China. New model launches could therefore play an important role in helping Hyundai recover sales in the coming months.

For Hyundai, the key challenge will be turning its upcoming model launches into stronger demand while keeping production stable and avoiding further disruptions.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Peter Pellegrini, President of the Slovak Republic.

According to AzerNEWS, the letter reads:

“Dear Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and, through you, to your entire people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Slovak Republic – Constitution Day.

The relations between Azerbaijan and Slovakia, based on mutual respect, trust, and constructive dialogue, are gratifying. In recent years, the development of political dialogue between our countries, the increase in high-level visits, and the expansion of the scope of our cooperation have further enriched the content of our bilateral relations.

The dynamics of cooperation between our countries in the economic, trade, energy, and military-technical fields are also gratifying.

I fondly recall your visit to Azerbaijan in July, including our joint visit to the Garabagh region. I highly appreciate Slovakia’s participation in the restoration of our liberated territories and regard this as a clear example of our friendship and strategic partnership.

I am confident that the traditional ties of friendship between Azerbaijan and Slovakia, as well as our interaction on both bilateral and multilateral levels, will continue to expand through our joint efforts in line with the interests of our peoples, and that our strategic partnership will be further strengthened.

On this pleasant day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Slovakia peace and prosperity.”

A dissident group from Colombia’s former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the “Estado Mayor Central” (EMC), has claimed responsibility for the abduction of José Olger Melo Charry, a Colombian corporal serving in the French Foreign Legion who has been missing since August 6.

According to the EMC, the soldier was detained in the Cumbitara area of Narino department and is in good health. The group referred to him as a “prisoner of war” and warned that any potential military operation could put his life at risk.

Melo Charry has served in the French Army’s Foreign Legion for nearly four years. He disappeared while on leave in Colombia.

France’s Ministry of Defence said it was closely monitoring the situation, while Colombian authorities have launched an investigation.

It was also noted that a woman who was with the soldier was also taken by armed men but was released several hours later.

The French Foreign Legion is an elite branch of the French Army whose ranks are made up largely of foreign volunteers from dozens of countries. Its soldiers can be deployed alongside other French forces on operations overseas.

The SCO Plus format meeting has commenced in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived at the Yrys Ordo Congress Hall in Bishkek to attend the meeting.

President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov welcomed President Ilham Aliyev and other heads of state and government.

The participants of the SCO Plus format meeting then posed for a family photo.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the meeting.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

– Dear Sadyr Nurgozhoevich,

Distinguished heads of state,

Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for the invitation and hospitality.

I am pleased to visit once again brotherly Kyrgyzstan. During my state visit a month ago, the Treaty on Allied Relations was signed. This historic document has elevated relations between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan to the highest level.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the President and the people of Kyrgyzstan on the achievements made in the country’s socio-economic development and the strengthening of its standing in the international arena. The election of Kyrgyzstan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2027-2028 demonstrates the support of the international community for Kyrgyzstan’s policies.

A little over a year ago, Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed the text of the peace agreement, putting an end to a 30-year conflict. Thus, the South Caucasus region, which was a long-standing conflict zone, is becoming a zone of peace.

Four resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council in 1993 were implemented three years ago, 30 years later. Azerbaijan is already supplying petroleum products to Armenia and providing transit for third-country cargo. Together with Armenia, we are working to increase the volume of mutual trade, expand the range of goods, and create new overland transport links. However, unfortunately, the UN played no role in the implementation of these resolutions. Azerbaijan entirely restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity on its own. The development of appropriate mechanisms is required for the swift implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. If implemented, this would serve to enhance the UN’s prestige and the organization’s role in conflict resolution. Having led the Non-Aligned Movement for four years until recently, Azerbaijan will continue to contribute to strengthening the principles of multilateralism in international affairs.

Thank you for your attention.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov: Thank you very much, dear Ilham Heydarovich, for such a comprehensive speech. It is precisely such a broad dialogue that is essential for the formation of a fair, multipolar world.

Romania is set to lose at least pound 770 million in European Union funding after the country’s main political parties failed to reach an agreement on a public-sector salary reform required under its post-pandemic recovery plan.

The parties missed the August 31 deadline for adopting a new public-sector salary law, a key reform included in Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

According to EU sources, around pound 770 million could be deducted from the pound 8.44 billion still due to Romania under the pound 21.41 billion recovery programme. The exact amount will be determined by the European Commission when it assesses Romania’s final payment request, which must be submitted by the end of September.

Romanian President Nicu?or Dan said last week that the legislation was technically close to completion and could still be adopted by the end of the year. He described the reform as a ‘complicated topic with major social and economic implications’ that had been negotiated under considerable time pressure.

The public-sector salary reform is reportedly the principal reason behind the potential loss of EU funds, although several smaller targets, including measures related to decarbonisation, have also not been completed.

The proposed legislation has faced strong opposition from Romanian trade unions, which argue that it could reduce the salaries of some categories of public employees and that planned inflation-linked adjustments would not adequately compensate workers.

The dispute has already prompted street protests. Several trade union federations demonstrated outside the Labour Ministry on August 25, calling for higher minimum wages and the restoration of collective bargaining.

The missed deadline has also triggered a political blame game among the pro-European parties that formed Romania’s previous governing coalition under centre-right Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.

The dispute comes as Bucharest faces increasing pressure to complete the remaining NRRP reforms before the EU funding window closes, with the country having already received only part of the substantial financing allocated under the post-pandemic recovery programme.

“I highly appreciate Slovakia’s participation in the restoration of our liberated territories and regard this as a clear example of our friendship and strategic partnership,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a congratulatory letter addressed to President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini on the occasion of his country’s Constitution Day.

The head of state expressed confidence that the traditional ties of friendship between Azerbaijan and Slovakia, as well as interaction at both bilateral and multilateral levels, will continue to expand through their joint efforts in line with the interests of the peoples of the two countries, and that their strategic partnership will be further strengthened.

Relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are continuing within their traditional framework, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei said Iran’s mission to the IAEA in Vienna remains in contact with relevant agency officials when necessary.

‘Iran’s representation in Vienna holds talks with the relevant sides of the agency wherever necessary. There are no discussions that would constitute a new process between Iran and the IAEA,’ he said.

Baghaei also accused some IAEA officials, including Director General Rafael Grossi, of making statements at certain points that had been exploited by other parties.

‘Iran still has a serious demand from the agency to align and regulate its conduct with the agency’s statute,’ he said. ‘Iran wants the agency to refrain from becoming involved in issues under the influence of the political ambitions of certain member states.’

The Iranian official also reiterated Tehran’s previous statement that there had been no nuclear activities at Mount Kolang.

Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have increased amid a broader dispute over Iran’s nuclear program and international efforts to resume negotiations.

The latest developments come amid renewed tensions between Iran and the United States.

On July 8, US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire had been violated and ordered new strikes against Iran. In response, Iran targeted US military facilities in the Persian Gulf region with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Although Washington has not ruled out the possibility of Iran returning to negotiations, disagreements over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program and other issues continue to cast uncertainty over the prospects for a broader peace process.

Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also once again been brought close to a standstill, further highlighting the continuing risks surrounding the strategically important waterway.

US President Donald Trump has said the United States is carrying out what he described as ‘large and powerful’ strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions after Iran launched missiles towards US military positions in Jordan.

Trump said the US action was in response to Iran’s deployment of maritime mines and the launch of eight missiles towards a US base in Jordan. Jordanian authorities said its air defence systems intercepted eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace.

‘If the failed state of Iran responds with a strike, it will be hit again much harder and on a much larger scale,’ Trump said, warning that the Islamic Republic could face devastating consequences.

‘When it is all over, there will be almost nothing left of the Islamic Republic of Iran,’ he added.

The latest escalation follows US strikes on Iranian military positions on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the operation targeted Iranian rocket launchers that were being prepared to deploy sea mines into the strategically vital waterway. US Central Command described the action as limited and precise, saying it was intended to protect commercial shipping and the free flow of global trade.

Iran subsequently launched missile and drone attacks against US-linked military positions in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Jordan said eight missiles were intercepted, while the UAE said it had intercepted an Iranian drone over its waters.

The exchange of fire marks a sharp deterioration after several weeks of relative calm between Washington and Tehran. The confrontation comes as the Trump administration has increasingly relied on economic pressure and sanctions against Iran while maintaining that it is prepared to use military force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the confrontation because of its importance to global energy markets. The latest military exchanges have also raised concerns over the safety of commercial shipping, with reports of vessels being hit by projectiles in the waterway.

Organizations involved in mine clearance in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories carried out extensive demining operations throughout August.

According to the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), demining teams discovered and neutralized 514 anti-personnel mines, 121 anti-tank mines, and 2,724 other explosive devices.

Overall, 7,568.9 hectares of land were cleared of mines and other explosive ordnance in August.

Humanitarian demining remains a critical component of Azerbaijan’s post-conflict recovery strategy. Large areas of land in these regions remain contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, posing a significant threat to civilians and slowing the pace of reconstruction projects and the safe return of internally displaced persons.

“The relations between Azerbaijan and Slovakia, based on mutual respect, trust, and constructive dialogue, are gratifying,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in a congratulatory letter addressed to President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini on the occasion of his country’s Constitution Day.

“In recent years, the development of political dialogue between our countries, the increase in high-level visits, and the expansion of the scope of our cooperation have further enriched the content of our bilateral relations,” the head of state added.