Category: Azer News

Dry and hot weather is expected across most of Azerbaijan on August 5, AzerNEWS reports, citing the National Hydrometeorological Service.

In Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, conditions are forecast to remain rain-free. Northeasterly winds will gradually shift to a light northwesterly breeze in the evening.

Air temperatures in the capital are expected to range between 22-25°C at night and 31-36°C during the daytime.

Atmospheric pressure will stand at 759 mmHg, while relative humidity is forecast at 70-75 per cent overnight and 40-50 per cent during daytime hours.

Elsewhere in the country, mainly dry weather is also expected. However, brief light showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible in some mountainous areas during the day. Patchy fog may form overnight and in the early morning in parts of the mountainous regions.

Temperatures in the regions are expected to range from 21-26°C at night to 34-39°C during the daytime.

In the mountains, temperatures will range between 15-20°C overnight and 25-30°C during the daytime.

A meeting was held between Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Ignazio Cassis, the Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced the meeting in a post on the social media platform X.

The Ministers discussed the Azerbaijan-Switzerland bilateral agenda, the priorities of Switzerland’s Chairpersonship of the OSCE, the current state and future prospects of Azerbaijan-OSCE cooperation, as well as the post-conflict situation in the region and the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process.

The parties noted that next year Azerbaijan and Switzerland will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, describing this important milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the partnership developed over the past three and a half decades.

The sides emphasized the importance of maintaining high-level contacts and regular political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. In this regard, they underlined the significance of the latest round of political consultations held in Baku in April this year and highlighted the importance of continuing this mechanism on a regular basis.

Discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation, including through the activities of the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The role of the energy sector as one of the key pillars of bilateral economic relations was highlighted. In this regard, the successful operations of SOCAR Energy in Switzerland were stressed as an important example of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Ministers also underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and science to further strengthen people-to-people ties.

Particular attention was paid to Switzerland’s priorities as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Azerbaijan welcomed the Chairpersonship’s focus on science and diplomacy, innovative technologies, water resource management, energy security, and digital security, stressing the importance of these areas in addressing contemporary challenges.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that, against the backdrop of the increasingly complex security environment across the OSCE region, the Organization should make full use of its comprehensive security concept and broad geographical membership in order to preserve its relevance and role in addressing regional security issues. He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s support for effective multilateralism based on the principles of the sovereign equality of participating States, mutual respect, inclusive dialogue, and consensus.

Addressing the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed his counterpart about the current stage of the peace process, the de facto peace established between the two countries, and the confidence-building measures undertaken. He emphasized that the progress achieved through the bilateral format once again demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach.

Regarding cooperation with the OSCE, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s readiness to continue practical cooperation with the Organization in areas of mutual interest where the OSCE possesses relevant expertise and can provide added value.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also drew attention to the large-scale contamination of Azerbaijan’s territories with landmines and other explosive remnants of war, describing it as one of the country’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. He underlined the importance of practical support from the OSCE, within its mandate and capabilities, in addressing this issue.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on the situation surrounding Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, and other regional and international security issues.

The 15th Gabala International Music Festival has wrapped up with a spectacular closing concert, AzerNEWS reports.

The event was organized at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Baku Music Academy and Gilan.

This year’s festival brought together musicians and dancers from Azerbaijan, Germany, Austria, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Vietnam.

Throughout the festival, the city of Gabala became an important platform for intercultural dialogue in line with the project’s mission, bringing together outstanding representatives of different countries and cultures in one of Azerbaijan’s most historic regions.

The closing concert featured performances by People’s Artists Azer Zeynalov (tenor) and Samir Jafarov (tenor), Honored Artist Elnara Mammadova (soprano), and soprano Lala Murshudlu. They were accompanied by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibayli under the baton of Honored Artist Fuad Ibrahimov.

The evening opened with Jahangir Jahangirov’s “Victory Overture”. The program continued with Koroghlu’s aria from Uzeyir Hajibayli’s opera “Koroghlu”, the romance “My Homeland” (Ölk?m), composed by Asaf Zeynalli to the lyrics of Jafar Jabbarli, and Balash’s aria from Fikrat Amirov’s opera “Sevil”. The concert program also featured celebrated masterpieces from the world opera repertoire.

During the week-long festival, local residents and visitors to Gabala enjoyed performances by artists from various countries. At times, the performers even danced together with the audience, creating an even more festive atmosphere, while spectators responded with enthusiastic applause and bouquets of flowers.

Since its inception in 2009, the Gabala International Music Festival has established itself as a leading platform for international cultural dialogue by bringing together distinguished representatives of the world’s musical traditions.

More than a celebration of classical music, the festival serves as a cultural bridge that unites people, transcends borders, and creates unforgettable experiences.

Euronews has aired a report highlighting Azerbaijan’s rich culinary heritage, with a special focus on two of the country’s most iconic traditional dishes-dushbara and gurza, AzerNEWS reports.

The report emphasizes the special place these dishes hold in Azerbaijani cuisine.

It notes that dushbara, renowned for its tiny, delicately folded dumplings filled with minced meat, is traditionally served in a fragrant meat broth.

Gurza, by contrast, is larger in size and distinguished by its characteristic braided fold resembling the shape of a snake.

The report’s author points out that although these delicacies are made from simple ingredients, their preparation requires exceptional skill, precision, and patience.

The intricate techniques of folding dushbara and gurza have been passed down from generation to generation, preserving this cherished culinary tradition to the present day.

Achieving economic development and establishing oneself as a regional power centre is not simply a matter of being located in a favourable geopolitical position. There are countries around the world whose geographical advantages have done little to help them overcome economic turbulence or realise their full potential.

The South Caucasus, once portrayed primarily as a conflict-ridden region, has faced similar challenges and has not always been able to make the most of its strategic advantages. Azerbaijan’s broad-based and increasingly proactive policy towards regional relations, however, has opened a new chapter. Today, the voice of the Caucasus can be heard not only in the West, but increasingly across the East and into Central Asia.

There is, of course, no extraordinary or magical force behind this transformation. Rather, it is the result of a consistent, pragmatic and carefully pursued policy over many years. Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan’s close ties with European and Asian countries, as well as with the Turkic-speaking states of Central Asia, are far from coincidental. They reflect a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s regional influence, expanding its economic partnerships and making full use of its position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

The Treaty on Allied Relations signed during Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Kyrgyzstan represents more than a new stage in Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan relations. It is also an important element of a broader geopolitical order taking shape between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The significance of the agreement lies in its potential to extend beyond bilateral relations, creating new opportunities for the future of the Organisation of Turkic States, the development of the Middle Corridor and the transformation of Eurasia’s transport map.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan have deepened rapidly in recent years. The treaty, in addition, on allied relations gives these ties a higher political dimension. An alliance implies closer coordination both on individual issues and in approaches to regional and international developments. President Ilham Aliyev’s statement that ‘allied relations entail great responsibility, and we are prepared to shoulder it’ reflects the substance of this new stage.

The key issue is whether the alliance can translate into concrete economic and geopolitical projects rather than remain merely a diplomatic commitment. The decision to increase the capital of the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan Investment Fund to $200 million is particularly significant in this regard. Expanding investment mechanisms can allow the political rapprochement between the two countries to be reinforced by tangible economic interests. The long-term sustainability of an alliance depends in part on the development of precisely these forms of mutual economic interdependence.

One of the alliance’s broader consequences could be the transformation of the Organisation of Turkic States. The OTS is no longer simply a platform based on cultural and historical ties. It is increasingly becoming a political and economic framework for cooperation in transport, trade, energy, investment and digital connectivity. Raising Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan relations to a new level could provide further momentum to this process.

Ultimately, the future strength of the OTS will depend on how closely its member states coordinate their political and economic policies. The alliance between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan could serve as a model for other member states. If bilateral alliances develop into a broader regional network, the OTS could strengthen its institutional capacity and deepen coordination on common priorities.

The Middle Corridor will be one of the most important testing grounds for this process.

Growing demand for alternative and resilient transport routes between Europe and Asia is rapidly increasing the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor. But its future will not be determined solely by the existence of a China-Central Asia-Caspian Sea-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Europe route. The central challenge is to turn the corridor into a more efficient, faster and more integrated economic system.

Azerbaijan occupies a particularly important position in this emerging architecture. The Caspian Sea serves as a natural bridge between Central Asia and the South Caucasus, while Azerbaijan is the principal logistics hub on its western shore. The Port of Baku, the Alat Free Economic Zone, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the country’s wider road and rail network are expanding Azerbaijan’s transit capabilities.

This infrastructure is elevating Azerbaijan’s role beyond that of a transit country. Baku increasingly seeks to become a regional logistics platform where cargo is not merely passing through, but is consolidated, processed, redirected and connected to new markets. This could give Azerbaijan a more durable strategic role in the Eurasian trade map.

Stronger Kyrgyz participation in the Middle Corridor could broaden this picture further. Central Asia’s role in the corridor is often assessed primarily through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, but deeper Kyrgyz integration could expand its regional reach. Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan cooperation could therefore strengthen economic links across the Caspian while contributing to a wider network connecting a larger part of Central Asia with European markets.

Yet the success of the Middle Corridor will depend on more than the construction of new roads and railways. Faster border crossings, digitalised customs procedures, unified documentation, optimised tariffs and improved information sharing among the various participants in the logistics chain are at least as important as physical infrastructure. The new level of Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan relations creates a political foundation for closer coordination in these areas.

A broader geopolitical shift should not be overlooked either. Central Asian states are seeking to diversify their external trade and transport links. Europe, meanwhile, is looking for a wider range of routes and partners for its connections with Asia. At the intersection of these two trends, Azerbaijan is positioning itself not simply as an energy exporter but as a strategic connectivity hub linking Europe with Central Asia.

This role also brings together the economic and geopolitical dimensions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Energy, transport, trade and investment projects are increasingly becoming interconnected elements of a broader regional connectivity strategy. The alliance with Kyrgyzstan provides an opportunity to deepen that strategy in the Central Asian direction.

Ultimately, the Treaty on Allied Relations signed in July 2026 should not be viewed solely as a new framework for relations between Baku and Bishkek. Its more significant potential consequence could be the conversion of political trust between Azerbaijan and Central Asia into deeper economic and logistical connectivity.

If this potential is realised, the Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan alliance could become a model for closer integration within the OTS while also helping to consolidate the Middle Corridor not merely as an alternative route, but as one of the principal arteries of Eurasian trade.

The central opportunity for Azerbaijan, therefore, is not simply to become a point on the transit map, but to emerge as a pivotal link within a network connecting different regions. The new alliance with Kyrgyzstan can be viewed as one of the important pillars supporting this broader strategy in Central Asia.

Russia’s Pacific Fleet has launched large-scale military exercises covering the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, AzerNEWS reports.

More than 13,000 military personnel will take part in the drills, which are expected to continue for several weeks.

According to the fleet’s press service, the exercises involve approximately 60 warships and submarines, as well as around 30 aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The bilateral maneuvers, led by Admiral Viktor Liina, will focus on the integrated use of precision-guided weapons and advanced military equipment.

The exercises are described as the Pacific Fleet’s main operational and combat training event of 2026.

The Pacific Fleet is an operational-strategic formation of the Russian Navy and serves as a means of ensuring Russia’s military security in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s website, the fleet comprises nuclear-powered strategic and multipurpose submarines, diesel-electric submarines, surface ships designed for operations in oceanic and near-shore waters, naval missile-carrying, anti-submarine and fighter aviation, as well as ground and coastal defense units.

France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs has announced additional measures to strengthen the French Navy’s mine-countermeasure capabilities, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the information, approximately 12 additional surface and underwater drones are expected to be ordered.

Specialized vessels will also be leased to transport the drones and deploy them to operational areas. The aim is to strengthen the protection of maritime areas near France’s mainland coastline.

The decision was taken as part of the next phase of the Future Mine Countermeasures System (SLAM-F) program, launched on July 21 by the Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs. Led by the Directorate General of Armament, the program aims to detect and neutralize naval mines while minimizing risks to personnel.

The ministry said that ordering additional drones and leasing carrier vessels will ensure the continuous deployment of the new capabilities in French maritime areas. The measures are being implemented as part of the updated Military Programming Law covering the 2024-2030 period.

The SLAM-F program involves cooperation with the United Kingdom on the development of drones and with Belgium and the Netherlands on carrier vessels. Paris believes these partnerships will strengthen interoperability among the armed forces of the participating countries.

In addition, the French Navy is expected to receive new support vessels for mine-clearance divers and drone-carrying mine-countermeasure vessels in the coming years. These platforms will enable the new systems to be deployed over longer distances and used in extended operations.

Lebanon sends an expanded delegation to Rome to participate in the next round of US-mediated talks with Israel, AzerNEWS reports.

According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the delegation will be headed by diplomat Simon Karam and will include military experts, ambassadors, lawyers, and economic advisers.

Beirut will insist on a complete halt to Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon during the talks.

On June 26, Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement in Washington under US mediation. The document is aimed at suspending hostilities. The agreement provides for the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament by Lebanese forces of Hezbollah units in designated “pilot zones.”

The pilot zones include the area around the town of Zaqtar al-Gharbiya, as well as the villages of Frun and Srifa.

Ahead of the negotiations, Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said progress under the framework agreement was possible only if concrete steps were taken to disarm Hezbollah.

“As long as the threat remains, the Israeli army will continue carrying out its missions along our northern border,” he said.

Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku, AzerNEWS reports.

The high-ranked guest paid tribute to the memory of Azerbaijani heroes who lost their lives fighting for the country’s independence and territorial integrity. He laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

The Swiss foreign minister was also briefed on the history of Martyrs’ Alley, its special place in the memory of the Azerbaijani people, and the ongoing improvement and reconstruction projects in Baku while viewing the panorama of the Azerbaijani capital.

Armenian separatists are once again trying to harp on the same string. This time, they are attempting to do it through the Corsican Assembly, which adopted a preliminary initiative concerning the so-called “Republic of Artsakh” and Armenian citizens facing criminal prosecution in Azerbaijan.

The Baku Initiative Group strongly condemned this move, describing it as one-sided, politically motivated, and provocative. That criticism is understandable. The initiative openly contradicts the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. It also reflects the same political line that has repeatedly been promoted by official Paris.

What makes this situation even more striking is the hypocrisy behind it. Some politicians in France, including President Emmanuel Macron, often speak loudly about the rights of Armenians in Azerbaijan. Yet France itself continues to deny basic linguistic and political rights to peoples living under its own control.

In the context of Corsica, this may provide the most relevant example. French authorities in 2023 have restricted the use of the Corsican language in public institutions, despite repeated demands from Corsicans to protect their cultural identity and linguistic rights. Courts in France relied on the constitutional principle that French is the only official language of the Republic. The ban even provoked protests in the homeland of Napoleon Bonaparte.

In practice, this means that while French politicians lecture others about minority rights and self-determination, they refuse to grant meaningful recognition to such rights within their own state.

Besides, it’s no secret that the Corsican Assembly released it on its own. The links with those who want to divide the South Caucasus are clearly visible by raising topics related to Azerbaijan and Armenia again.

This double standard creates tension in relations between the two countries. The same political circles that speak emotionally about self-determination in the South Caucasus remain silent when it comes to the suppression of Corsican language rights. France signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages decades ago, but still has not ratified it. That alone says a lot about the gap between France’s rhetoric and its actual behavior.

Before interfering in the affairs of the South Caucasus, French political institutions should first look honestly at their own record. Why do they speak about justice abroad while ignoring unresolved injustices at home? Why do they use the language of decolonization in foreign matters, while continuing centralizing and assimilationist policies against peoples such as the Corsicans?

In contrast, Azerbaijan’s Constitution provides all peoples and ethnic communities living in the country with the opportunity to preserve and develop their languages, traditions, and culture. Azerbaijan has consistently supported the principles of international law, especially state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Baku Initiative Group was created on exactly these principles. It serves as a platform to support peoples who oppose colonial policies and seek freedom, dignity, and justice in international forums. Attempts by the French side to discredit this initiative only reveal its discomfort with scrutiny of its own colonial legacy and present-day practices.

If the Corsican Assembly truly wants to stand for justice, it should begin with the rights of the Corsican people themselves. It should demand full institutional recognition of the Corsican language, guarantees for its use in education and public life, protection of Corsican identity and culture, and respect for the political will of the Corsican people.

Real credibility begins at home. A state or political class that fails to protect the rights of its own peoples loses moral authority when it tries to lecture others.

BIG urges the Corsican Assembly to preserve its political and institutional independence and not allow itself to become an instrument of the French state’s political agenda. As the representative body of the Corsican people, the Assembly must defend the linguistic, cultural and political rights of the Corsican people, rather than allowing itself to be used to legitimize policies that erode Corsica’s identity and aspirations.