Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries are aiming to increase regional trade to $20 billion while developing joint production under the ‘Made in Central Asia’ brand, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said at the CAMCA 2026 Regional Forum in Baku.

‘Our future is most clearly reflected in the relations between the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Over the years, we have become part of this regional architecture,’ Jabbarov said.

The minister noted that the political dimension of these ties deepened after Azerbaijan became a full participant in the Consultative Meeting format of Central Asian heads of state in Tashkent in November 2025.

‘Azerbaijan was the first country from outside the region to join this format,’ he said.

Jabbarov also pointed to the first meeting of trade and investment ministers from Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries, held several days ago, as another step toward greater economic integration.

‘Our goal is to bring the volume of regional trade to $20 billion and establish joint production under the ‘Made in Central Asia’ brand,’ the minister said.

According to Jabbarov, Azerbaijan has already established joint investment funds with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, creating mechanisms to combine several mid-sized markets into a broader investment platform.

‘Azerbaijan holds a share of at least 50% in each of these funds. Thus, Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries are forming a unified economic space that connects, on one side, Trkiye and Europe, and, on the other, Asia,’ he said.

Trans-Caspian fiber-optic link nearing launch

The expansion of regional economic ties is increasingly extending beyond traditional trade and transport infrastructure into digital connectivity.

Jabbarov announced that the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line connecting Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is expected to become operational in less than a month.

‘The launch of the fiber-optic cable line between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan will create a new high-capacity communication channel between Europe and Asia. The line is expected to go into operation in less than a month,’ he stated.

The minister emphasized that modern regional corridors should no longer be viewed solely through the movement of physical cargo, as energy and digital connectivity are increasingly becoming integral components of the emerging East-West infrastructure network.

Under the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line project implemented by AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom, a 380-kilometer subsea fiber-optic cable has been laid between Sumgayit in Azerbaijan and Aktau in Kazakhstan.

The first subsea digital route across the Caspian Sea is expected to provide high-speed connectivity with capacity exceeding 400 terabits per second, facilitating large-scale data exchange and supporting the development of digital services across the region.

The cable is a key component of the broader ‘Digital Silk Way’ project.

Spanning Azerbaijan, Georgia, Trkiye, Kazakhstan and Bulgaria, the telecommunications corridor is designed to provide a shorter, high-capacity route with minimal latency for data transmission between Asia and Europe while strengthening regional digital cooperation.

New connectivity opportunities after peace

Jabbarov also linked the changing political environment in the South Caucasus with emerging economic and transport opportunities.

‘The agreements reached in Washington in August 2025 also opened a new chapter for the South Caucasus,’ the minister said.

According to him, the Zangezur Corridor is expected to directly connect mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and eventually integrate with the infrastructure of the Middle Corridor.

‘Central Asian countries are interested in further expanding transit capacity. Thanks to this, we see how connectivity is transforming from an aspiration into bankable projects,’ Jabbarov emphasized.

The development would add another dimension to the growing network of transport links connecting Central Asia with the South Caucasus and onward toward Trkiye and European markets.

Despite lacking direct access to the world’s oceans, Azerbaijan has sought to turn its geographical position between Europe and Asia into a strategic advantage through sustained investment in connectivity, Jabbarov said.

‘Azerbaijan is a country without direct access to the world’s oceans, yet this very fact has shaped our path: recognizing our geographic position, we place great emphasis on connectivity, do not hesitate to invest in transport infrastructure, and strive to mitigate the challenges associated with our geography,’ he noted.

The minister said Azerbaijan consequently attaches particular importance to transport and logistics projects and continues to direct significant investment toward infrastructure development.

Among the projects highlighted by Jabbarov were the Middle Corridor and the Baku International Sea Trade Port in Alat, both of which form key elements of Azerbaijan’s strategy to position itself as a transport, trade and increasingly digital bridge between Central Asia and markets to the west.

Taken together, the $20 billion trade ambition, joint investment mechanisms, plans for shared production, expanding transport infrastructure and the imminent launch of the Trans-Caspian digital connection point toward a broader effort to integrate Azerbaijan and Central Asia economically while strengthening their links with Trkiye and Europe.

The Media Forum of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held in Baku, is another example of Azerbaijan’s role as a venue for international dialogue and cooperation. Dedicated to the theme ‘Building Trust through Media in a Polarized World,’ the Forum was organized at Azerbaijan’s initiative as the first Media Forum within the CICA framework. The event coincides with the final stage of Azerbaijan’s 2024-2026 CICA chairmanship and comes ahead of the upcoming CICA Summit. This factor gives the Forum additional regional and diplomatic significance.

CICA is a broad regional platform bringing together 28 states and covering approximately 90 percent of the territory of Asia. Its main objectives include strengthening peace, security and stability, increasing trust among states, and developing interaction and dialogue. The addition of a media dimension to this agenda during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship demonstrates the growing importance of the information sphere for regional cooperation.

The main objective of the Media Forum is to develop media cooperation as an important mechanism for strengthening regional trust, expanding information exchange, and deepening ties among CICA member states. Expanding ties between media organizations, exchanging experience among journalists, increasing media literacy, and discussing new opportunities and challenges created by digital technologies constitute the main directions of this strategy. In the modern information environment, perceptions of a country are often shaped by the way information about that country, published by its media, reaches international audiences. For this reason, expanding media ties also carries practical significance for interstate relations.

As President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted in his address to the Forum participants, CICA is regarded as a ‘unique dialogue platform that contributes to peace, security and stability in the region.’ This idea is directly connected with the broader philosophy of the Media Forum. Just as trust is built at the political and diplomatic levels, it is also strengthened in the information space. A reliable information environment is becoming an important condition for political dialogue between states.

The President’s other observation further clarifies the role of the media in this process. In the words of Ilham Aliyev, ‘The media, which reports on ongoing developments and delivers news to society, is a force that can influence the formation of public opinion, mutual trust, and understanding, as well as dialogue and opportunities for cooperation.’ This approach reflects a broader role for the media beyond its traditional function as a channel for transmitting information. A news report, analytical article or interview can shape perceptions among audiences in different countries, increase awareness of existing ties and generate interest in new opportunities for cooperation.

In this context, the issue of disinformation also carries particular importance. The development of digital media has accelerated the spread of information many times compared with previous periods. The development of artificial intelligence technologies has also made the production of text, photo, audio and video materials more accessible. Under such circumstances, verifying sources, confirming facts and increasing media literacy among audiences are becoming important elements of regional information security.

As President Ilham Aliyev stated, increasing media literacy is among the essential conditions for establishing sustainable foundations for trust. This idea explains why media literacy has emerged as a separate direction on the Forum’s agenda. As audiences become more capable of analyzing information, comparing sources and distinguishing facts from commentary, the quality of the information environment also improves.

The fact that the Forum is being held for the first time within the CICA framework also carries particular significance. President Ilham Aliyev specifically highlighted this fact, describing the holding of the first Media Forum in Baku as an important event. The initiative creates an institutional basis for developing media and information cooperation as a separate area within CICA’s activities. At the next stage, this platform could develop into broader forms of cooperation involving journalists, media organizations, experts and digital media representatives.

The launch of such an initiative during Azerbaijan’s CICA chairmanship also fits into Baku’s tradition of hosting international events. In recent years, Baku has emerged as one of the cities hosting numerous international events that bring together political leaders, diplomats, experts, business representatives and journalists from different countries. These events bring different agendas together in one location and contribute to Azerbaijan’s position as a platform for regional and international dialogue.

The significance of the Media Forum also becomes clear within this broader context. Baku serves here as a strategic platform for bringing together countries, media organizations and experts from across the CICA region. The city becomes a space for organizing the exchange of ideas and information among countries spanning the broad geographical area covered by CICA. Bringing media representatives from different parts of Asia together in Baku creates additional opportunities for direct exchanges of information about their respective countries.

Ultimately, the CICA Media Forum represents an important media component of the regional cooperation agenda shaped during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship. The Forum’s strategy is built around strengthening trust in the information environment, increasing media literacy, promoting professional journalism, discussing digital challenges and expanding media ties among CICA countries. The ideas expressed by President Ilham Aliyev at the Forum complement the central logic of this strategy: in the modern world, information is an important pillar of regional dialogue, public diplomacy and cooperation. Baku’s hosting of such an initiative further highlights Azerbaijan’s role as a platform for regional dialogue within the framework of its CICA chairmanship.

Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI has launched an internal security review after researchers discovered that two of its artificial intelligence models could bypass built-in safety protections and generate instructions related to biological weapons and contract killings.

The findings were reported by Mindgard, a UK-based company specializing in AI security testing. According to the researchers, two Moonshot models – Kimi K2.6 and K3 Swarm – were found to be vulnerable to sophisticated jailbreak techniques that could circumvent their prescribed safety restrictions.

A jailbreak is a carefully designed sequence of prompts intended to manipulate an AI system into ignoring or bypassing the rules built into it. Security researchers commonly use such techniques to test how models behave when confronted with deliberately adversarial requests.

Mindgard said it identified the vulnerabilities in July and notified Moonshot AI by email on July 27, followed by another communication roughly a week later.

According to Mindgard founder Peter Garragan, once the jailbreak was successfully triggered, the model became significantly less restrictive and began responding to topics that its safety systems were designed to block.

Moonshot AI subsequently launched an internal investigation into the findings. The company also said that the Kimi K2.6 vulnerability could potentially allow code execution on computing resources and establish an internet connection, raising concerns that the model could potentially be abused as part of a broader cyberattack.

The incident highlights a growing challenge for AI developers: making models useful and flexible while ensuring that their safety mechanisms cannot be easily manipulated. As AI systems gain access to external tools, code execution and the internet, vulnerabilities in their safeguards could have consequences beyond simply generating inappropriate text.

For companies developing increasingly autonomous AI systems, jailbreak testing is becoming an important part of security research, similar to penetration testing in traditional cybersecurity. The key question is no longer only what an AI model can do – but also what it can be persuaded to do when its safeguards are deliberately challenged.

US President Donald Trump said that the United States has full control over vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We literally control the Strait of Hormuz. We have full control,” he noted, speaking to reporters at the White House.

According to Trump, Iran has only limited ability to interfere with shipping in the strategic waterway. The president said Tehran could, for example, deploy a mine, but added that even such a move could create problems because shipowners would be reluctant to take risks while transiting the strait.

Trump also recalled that he had previously expressed confidence that an agreement with Tehran could be reached either after or even before the elections.

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.

A new national assault rifle developed in Azerbaijan using local capabilities and technology transfer based on the M4 platform has been unveiled at the ADEX 2026 defense exhibition.

The new weapon is compatible with NATO standards and uses 5.56×45 mm ammunition. It features technical specifications designed to meet modern combat requirements.

The rifle is equipped with an adjustable telescopic stock.

A new AZ 7.62 R assault rifle was also unveiled at the exhibition. The next-generation infantry rifle has undergone extensive modernization to meet the requirements of modern combat environments. Technical improvements and newly added features have enhanced the weapon’s ease of use and functionality.

It is worth noting that a total of 53 countries are represented at the ADEX and Securex Caspian exhibitions this year. Some 280 companies and organizations from 30 countries are taking part. A fifth pavilion at the Baku Expo Center has been put into operation specifically for ADEX 2026.

Countries represented with exhibition stands include Azerbaijan, the United States, Germany, Belarus, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, South Korea, the Czech Republic, China, France, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Trkiye, Ukraine and others.

A total of 59 foreign delegations from 39 countries are participating in ADEX 2026.

One of the main new features of ADEX 2026 is the allocation of the fourth pavilion of the Baku Expo Center to a national exposition for the first time.

The exhibition, which runs through October 2, is one of the major military-technology platforms in the Caucasus region. It showcases modern military technologies and equipment, as well as the capabilities of Azerbaijan’s defense industry.

The 15th International Exhibition of Internal Security, Protection and Rescue Equipment, Securex Caspian, is also being held at the Baku Expo Center on the same dates.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin receives regular updates on Special Envoy for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Kirill Dmitriev’s negotiations with the diplomatic representatives from the United States.

Commenting on Dmitriev’s most recent meeting with US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in New York, Peskov described it as a “very positive process.” He added that “working-level contacts with American representatives are continuing.”

Dmitriev reportedly met with Witkoff and Kushner during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to discuss possible solutions to the crisis in Ukraine. Meanwhile, it was alleged that he had met with representatives of the US Treasury and Energy departments.

High-level military observers from nine countries are attending the ‘Power of Unity – 2026’ joint military exercise being conducted by Azerbaijan, Trkiye and Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said.

Anar Eyvazov, head of the Defense Ministry’s Press and Public Relations Department, told a briefing on Thursday that defense ministers from some of the participating observer countries would also attend the exercises during the day.

More than 3,500 military personnel from Azerbaijan, Trkiye and Uzbekistan have been involved in the joint exercise, which began on September 21.

According to Eyvazov, the exercise is the first large-scale drill of its kind to include areas that were previously under occupation and have since been liberated by Azerbaijan.

More than 130 unmanned systems, 70 armored vehicles, over 90 artillery systems, more than 20 aircraft, over 30 electronic warfare, electronic reconnaissance and electronic intelligence systems, more than 15 air defense assets, eight sets of engineering equipment and over 20 naval assets have been deployed.

Personnel and unmanned systems are being provided by all three countries, while other military equipment and systems are supplied by Azerbaijan and Trkiye. The naval assets are provided by Azerbaijan.

The exercise covers the Qizilqaya, Garabaglar, Garaheybat and Boyuk Zir? areas. Its scenarios include responses to hybrid threats, sabotage, disinformation and cyber threats, as well as counterterrorism operations and the neutralization of illegal armed groups.

At Garaheybat, participating forces are conducting airstrike exercises, while activities around Boyuk Zir? focus on maritime border protection, preventing sabotage and conducting counterterrorism operations.

The second phase includes clearing and securing populated areas, establishing checkpoints, evacuating wounded personnel by ground and air, humanitarian demining, and radiation and chemical reconnaissance.

Eyvazov stressed that the locations and events depicted in the exercise scenario are fictional and that participating forces are being deployed in accordance with the exercise scenario.

Armenia and the Armenian people must properly appreciate their historic responsibility and take steps toward ensuring lasting peace in the region, Khalaf Khalafov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan, said at the First CICA Media Forum held in Baku.

Khalafov noted that Azerbaijan, despite enduring severe hardships, restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty on the basis of the norms and principles of international law.

‘Nevertheless, we must all ensure the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Following the Second Garabagh War, the President of Azerbaijan proposed establishing lasting peace in the region to the Republic of Armenia and has taken all practical steps to advance the peace process. Armenia and the Armenian people must properly appreciate this historic responsibility and take steps to ensure peace,’ he said.

President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, on the occasion of the Founding Day of the People’s Republic of China.

According to AzerNEWS, the letter reads:

“Dear Mr. President,

On the occasion of October 1 – the Founding Day of the People’s Republic of China, it gives me great pleasure to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to you and, through you, to the friendly people of China, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan.

The historic achievements and successes attained by the People’s Republic of China in national prosperity, socio-economic and scientific-technical progress, innovative development, and other leading areas under your decisive leadership and through the visionary strategic course you pursue evoke great admiration. Today, China has taken its rightful place among the world’s most powerful states and has earned the status of an important and influential power center.

We attach special importance to the development of our relations with China, our friendly country and reliable strategic partner. The high-level political dialogue, mutual trust, and understanding established between us, along with the continuous support our countries demonstrate for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, are characteristic features of Azerbaijan-China relations. The elevation of our interstate ties to an entirely new historical stage – the level of comprehensive strategic partnership – is a vivid practical expression of our firm political will and joint, consistent efforts.

Recently, the chronicle of our bilateral relations has been rich in key events, while our fruitful cooperation in the economic, trade, transport and logistics, investment, energy, agricultural, and humanitarian sectors has developed dynamically, acquiring new substance. The visa-free regime between our countries, which has been in effect for a year, has, in turn, provided impetus to the development of people-to-people contacts and tourism.

At the same time, the Belt and Road Initiative, which you initiated and which Azerbaijan has consistently supported, along with the Middle Corridor and other connectivity projects implemented together with Central Asian countries, serve as important factors in promoting global cooperation.

I note with satisfaction that cooperation between our countries in the energy sector has developed and entered a new stage. The effective activity carried out in the field of renewable energy in Azerbaijan by your country’s leading company, Universal Energy, is commendable. The recent inauguration of the Gobustan Solar Power Plant built by the company serves as another example of the diversification of Azerbaijan-China economic ties.

Dear Mr. President,

I am confident that Azerbaijan-China relations of friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership, which have an ancient history and good traditions, will continue to develop steadily and further strengthen through our joint efforts in line with the will of our peoples.

On this festive day, I once again extend my most sincere congratulations to you, wishing you robust health, happiness, and success in your high state activities, and everlasting peace, prosperity, and well-being to the friendly people of China.”

Azerbaijan and Greece have discussed expanding cooperation in energy, transport, trade, investment and emerging technologies during the sixth meeting of the Joint Commission on economic, industrial and technological cooperation in Athens.

The meeting was co-chaired by Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Theoharis Theoharis.

The participants highlighted the contribution of a meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in New York last September, as well as political consultations held in Athens in May, to the development of bilateral relations.

The growing role of Azerbaijan in Europe’s energy security, the development of the Middle Corridor, and new energy and transport links were described as creating further opportunities for expanding cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting noted that bilateral trade increased by 27.6 percent in 2025 and by 25.35 percent in the first half of this year. The sides discussed increasing mutual investments, promoting direct links between the private sectors and encouraging joint projects.

In this regard, the importance of the Azerbaijan-Greece Business Forum held on the sidelines of the meeting was emphasized.

The discussions covered cooperation in trade, business and investment, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy, transport and logistics, agriculture, digital technologies, the environment and customs.

In the energy sector, the strategic role of the Southern Gas Corridor and the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector in strengthening Europe’s energy security and diversifying gas supplies was highlighted.

Azerbaijan exported 1.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Greece in 2025 and approximately 700 million cubic meters in the first eight months of this year.

Since the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) became operational, a total of 6 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas has been delivered to Greece, while 61.4 billion cubic meters has been supplied to European countries.

Azerbaijan also provided information on projects aimed at developing its renewable energy potential and establishing green energy links between the Caspian region and Europe. Given Greece’s role in the energy system of Southeastern Europe, the sides stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in green energy, electricity infrastructure and regional connectivity, energy efficiency and hydrogen.

In transport and logistics, the meeting noted that transit cargo transportation between the two countries increased by around 90 percent last year.

Against the backdrop of the Middle Corridor’s growing importance, the sides exchanged views on developing connectivity between the South Caucasus, Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, expanding port and maritime cooperation, and establishing direct air links.

The parties also emphasized the importance of encouraging Greek companies to make greater use of investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, including those offered by the Alat Free Economic Zone.