Category: Azer News

A post has been shared on the social media accounts of President Ilham Aliyev regarding the passing of People’s Poet Nariman Hasanzada.

AzerNEWS presents the post: “The Azerbaijani cultural community has suffered a heavy loss. The prominent representative of modern Azerbaijani literature, Heydar Aliyev Prize laureate, recipient of the President’s personal pension, Honored Artist, People’s Poet Nariman Alimammad oglu Hasanzada passed away on August 1, 2026, at the age of 96.

Nariman Hasanzada was born on February 2, 1931, in the village of Poylu, Gazakh district. After completing secondary school, he studied at the Faculty of Language and Literature of the Hasan bey Zardabi Ganja State Pedagogical Institute from 1949 to 1953, and from 1957 to 1961 at the M. Gorky Literary Institute in Moscow.

Hasanzada completed his postgraduate studies at the Baku State University between 1962 and 1965, subsequently defending his dissertation to receive the Candidate of Sciences degree.

Nariman Hasanzada, who entered the postgraduate course of the Baku State University in 1962, graduated from postgraduate course in 1965, defended his dissertation and received the degree of Candidate of Sciences.

Nariman Hasanzada began his career in 1962, holding different positions at the “Azerbaijani Youth” newspaper, the “Azerbaijan” magazine, and the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Committee. Serving as the editor-in-chief of the “Literature and Art” newspaper from 1978 to 1991, he worked tirelessly to further enhance the newspaper’s influence across the literary and social environment.

From 1991 to 2001, Hasanzada served as the First Deputy Minister of Press and Information of the Republic of Azerbaijan, also taking the role of Acting Minister. From 2001 until his passing, he chaired the Department of Humanities at the National Aviation Academy.

Nariman Hasanzada, a great master of words, breathed new life into our literature from the moment he entered the world of poetry. Remaining faithful to the centuries-old bright traditions of national literature, the poet made an invaluable contribution to the poetic treasury of the Azerbaijani people with his unique style of expression. His works, centered on love for the homeland, feelings of national freedom, attachment to traditional values, and a call for spiritual enlightenment, have always kept him at the vanguard of the literary process.

Distinguished by their melancholy, sincerity, fluency, and naturalness, the poet’s works reflect the thoughts and feelings of our contemporaries. In his poems and verse plays, Nariman Hasanzada revived crucial historical events and great personalities of our past in the light of historical truth, illuminating them through the lens of deep patriotism and national statehood. These works, which celebrate the struggle and heroism of the Azerbaijani people, have been successfully staged in theaters, earning the heartfelt acclaim of audiences. Many songs have been composed to the verses of the poet, who has masterfully benefited from the inexhaustible possibilities of our language, and they remain deeply cherished and widely sung today.

Seamlessly intertwined with his literary career, the artist’s multifaceted activity as a scholar, educator, and public figure serves as a bright example of dedicated service to his homeland and people. Nariman Hasanzada was actively involved in the socio-political and cultural life of the republic, serving in various years as Director of the Azerbaijan branch of the USSR Literature Fund, as well as a Deputy of district and city councils and the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan (12th convocation).

Always approaching the processes taking place in the life of the country and society with a deep sense of citizenship, Nariman Hasanzada, devoted all his strength to the development of our culture, the preservation and perpetuation of our national and spiritual values.

Nariman Hasanzada’s long-standing and fruitful efforts in advancing Azerbaijani literature and culture have been highly appreciated, as he received the highest state awards of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan – the “Shohrat” (2001), “Sharaf” (2011) and “Istiglal” (2021), and in 2026 he was awarded the “Heydar Aliyev” order.

The bright memory of Nariman Alimammad oglu Hasanzada, an outstanding poet, playwright, and renowned public figure known for his warmth and humility, will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

May Allah rest his soul in peace!”

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced that it no longer has confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, AzerNEWS reports.

The statement was issued after media reports claimed that Infantino is considering the creation of a private entity that would take control of the commercial rights to FIFA’s flagship competitions.

UEFA added that the proposal had been “unanimously rejected” by its member associations as well as by “many other federations and confederations of all sizes around the world.”

UEFA thanked fans, leagues, clubs, players, national associations and confederations, as well as political leaders and commentators, for opposing the proposal.

“Football is not for sale,” it said.

The organization criticized the process behind the proposal, saying football “cannot keep going on like this with secret schemes on fast-track timescales, cooked up by faceless individuals and of dubious benefit to the game.”

On August 1, Azerbaijan celebrates the Day of Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language.

This significant occasion was established by a decree signed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev on August 9, 2001. The choice of August 1 was not accidental, as the Azerbaijan Alphabet Commission was established on this date in 1990.

Heydar Aliyev made significant contributions to protecting the Azerbaijani language. Back in 1977, when the USSR was adopting a new constitution, he strongly opposed the absence of a clause on state language and stood firm on the issue.

Thanks to his efforts, on April 2, 1978, during a session of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR, Article 73 of the republic’s constitution was amended to recognize Azerbaijani as the official state language. This was a historic achievement and a key step in preserving the country’s linguistic and cultural identity.

Over the years, additional presidential decrees have strengthened the use of the language in education, publishing, science, and public life. These include initiatives supporting large-scale publication of books in the Latin alphabet, the publication of the Azerbaijan National Encyclopedia, and the translation of works by leading figures of world literature into Azerbaijani.

President Ilham Aliyev continues this mission with determination. His 2004 decrees on publishing in Latin script and releasing the Azerbaijani National Encyclopedia, as well as a 2007 order on translating key global literary works into Azerbaijani, have all played a vital role in promoting the language in every area of society.

In an interview with local television channels in January this year, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that preserving the native language is a shared responsibility.

“This is a great achievement. I do believe that the greatness of our people lies in the fact that we have not been influenced by other languages,” the head of state noted.

He also added that while globalization inevitably introduces foreign words through the internet, media, and international contacts, Azerbaijan must ensure that its own language retains its richness and integrity.

Speaking at the conference marking the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, President Ilham Aliyev said the state, along with scholars, linguists, writers, poets, journalists, and public figures, should give the issue the highest priority.

This year also holds special significance for Azerbaijan as the country commemorates the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku in 1926. The congress brought together prominent scholars from across the Turkic world and became a landmark event in discussions on alphabet reform, the transition to the Latin script, and the development of Turkic languages.

In recent years, efforts have been made to ensure the wider use of the Azerbaijani language in the digital space. President Ilham Aliyev’s decree on July 17, 2018, titled “On a number of measures to ensure the wider use of the Azerbaijani language in the electronic space,” plays a crucial role in further expanding the application of the Azerbaijani language in the digital realm.

The protection of the Azerbaijani language is, in essence, the protection of national identity itself. A nation that values and preserves its language also preserves its history, literature, traditions, and spiritual heritage. For this reason, the consistent measures taken in Azerbaijan in support of the mother tongue reflect not only respect for the past, but also responsibility for the future.

An event marking August 1 – Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language Day was held at theCultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev, operating under the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan, AzerNEWS reports.

During the event, participants were informed about the vital role of the Azerbaijani language in preserving the nation’s identity, cultural heritage, and spiritual values.

Speakers noted that President Ilham Aliyev has consistently attached great importance to protecting the Azerbaijani language, preserving its purity, and expanding its use. In this context, the President’s remarks were highlighted: “Today, the Azerbaijani language is the native language of over 50 million people. We are the guardians of the clear, pure, literary Azerbaijani language – an independent state of Azerbaijan.”

It was emphasized that under President Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has been implementing consistent and purposeful policies aimed at developing the state language, broadening its use in various fields, and promoting it internationally.

Students enrolled in the Azerbaijani language courses at the Cultural Center shared their views on the richness of the language, its role in preserving national values, and the importance of maintaining a strong connection with one’s mother tongue.

As part of the program, attendees watched a video presentation dedicated to Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language Day.

The event concluded with an introductory tour for new members of the Cultural Center. Participants visited the center’s museums and library, where they learned more about its exhibitions, collections, and book holdings.

An oil tanker was struck near Oman’s coast in the Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, the vessel was hit in its engine room, causing it to lose propulsion and become disabled. The incident occurred approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the Omani port of Lima.

No injuries were reported, the UKMTO said. Local coast guard authorities have been notified, and an investigation into the incident is underway.

The dispute over navigation through the strategic waterway, a key transit route for global oil, gas and fertilizer shipments, has become a central flashpoint in the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.

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 decision has been made to increase the resources of the Kyrgyzstan-Azerbaijan Development Fund,’ said President Ilham Aliyev at the third meeting of the Interstate Council of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in the city of Cholpon-Ata, AzerNEWS reports.

“I am glad that the Kyrgyzstan-Azerbaijan Fund is operating successfully. We have made a decision to increase the fund’s resources, and several projects are already being implemented. I am confident that as the fund’s activities expand, the number of projects will grow. This will serve our common goals.”

Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is set to stand trial in what is being described as the first criminal case against the church’s supreme leader in Armenia’s modern history, AzerNEWS reports.

According to independent Armenian media outlet CivilNet, Karekin II and five senior church officials have been charged with deliberately obstructing the enforcement of a lawful court decision through alleged abuse of power.

The case stems from the dismissal of Bishop Gevorg Saroyan. Armenian authorities accuse Karekin II and other church leaders of refusing to comply with a court ruling ordering Saroyan’s reinstatement.

Those expected to stand trial alongside the Catholicos are Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Archbishop Haykazun Najaryan, Bishop Vahan Hovhannesyan, Bishop Edgar Hakobyan, and Bishop Artur Hakobyan.

According to CivilNet, Karekin II and the five bishops have also been placed under a travel ban pending the legal proceedings.

Relations between the Church and Pashinyan’s government have been tense since May 2025, with Pashinyan and others attacking Karekin II. As accusations against the Church and Karekin II specifically grew, Pashinyan made clear he was seeking to oust the Catholicos.

The case marks an unprecedented development in the relationship between the Armenian state and the Armenian Apostolic Church, which has played a central role in the country’s religious and national identity.

An award ceremony for the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan was held on July 31, AzerNEWS reports.

Addressing the event President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov said:

– Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Modern Azerbaijan is a strong and influential state playing an important role in regional and international affairs. Over the years of your leadership, Azerbaijan has achieved significant success in strengthening its statehood, developing the economy, and implementing large-scale projects. Thanks to your support and unwavering commitment to bringing our nations closer together, our brotherly countries have forged a genuine strategic partnership based on strong bonds of friendship and mutual trust.

Today, our relations have reached a qualitatively new level and have evolved into an alliance. Your role in the development of ties between Central Asia and the South Caucasus is of particular importance. Azerbaijan’s participation in the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia opens up new opportunities for expanding cooperation in the trade, economic, transport, and energy spheres. You also consistently use your influence to promote lasting peace, strengthen stability, and create a new atmosphere of cooperation in the region.

Your commitment to strengthening friendship between our countries commands deep respect from the Kyrgyz people. It is for this reason that I decided to award my dear friend and brother, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Heydarovich Aliyev, the highest state award of the Kyrgyz Republic-the ‘Manas’ Order.

This high award recognizes your outstanding personal contribution to strengthening Kyrgyz-Azerbaijani relations.

On behalf of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic and on my own behalf, I cordially congratulate you on receiving this high award. I wish you robust health, well-being, and continued success in your state duties, and peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan.

Dear Ilham Heydarovich, allow me to present you with the ‘Manas’ Order.

x x x

Then, the Decree of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov awarding President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev the 1st Class “Manas” Order for his significant contribution to the development of strategic partnership between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the strengthening of friendship between the peoples of the two countries was read out.

President Sadyr Zhaparov conferred the 1st Class “Manas” Order upon the Azerbaijani leader.

x x x

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in his remarks:

– Dear Sadyr Nurgozhoevich.

Dear friends.

First of all, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this high award. I regard it as your recognition of my activities in strengthening the brotherly ties between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan. Over the years of our cooperation with you, our countries have travelled a very long and glorious path, elevating our interstate relations to the level of strategic alliance. There is no level higher than this one. I am deeply grateful to you for your personal contribution to strengthening relations between our two brotherly countries.

Our good, friendly, and brotherly relations serve as an important factor in the current successful development between our countries. I would also like to thank you sincerely for your kind words, and for this high order, and I want to assure you that in the future, too, I will make every effort to ensure the steady development of Kyrgyz-Azerbaijani relations for the benefit of our countries and peoples.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a high award.

x x x

Then, the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan awarding President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov the Heydar Aliyev Order in recognition of his special contribution to strengthening the friendly and brotherly ties and partnership between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan was read out.

x x x

Speaking at the event, President Ilham Aliyev said: Before presenting this high award, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich, I would like to once again personally congratulate you, your team, and the brotherly people of Kyrgyzstan on the historic achievements that Kyrgyzstan has attained under your leadership. This is not my first visit to Kyrgyzstan, but it is during your presidency that our contacts have become regular. If we count the number of my visits to Kyrgyzstan and the visits of Sadyr Nurgozhoevich to Azerbaijan, there have probably been more than ten.

All of this, however, has taken place since the brotherly people of Kyrgyzstan entrusted you with the high office of President of the Republic. The transformations are visible to everyone. This is evident both to friends and to foreign observers who come and see them. They are impossible not to notice. Even what we are witnessing today in the Issyk-Kul region would have been impossible to imagine before Sadyr Nurgozhoevich assumed leadership of Kyrgyzstan. Today, this beautiful corner of Kyrgyzstan is undergoing unprecedented development. Never before has the region experienced such rapid development over such a short period of time. This is your personal achievement, reflecting your commitment to your people, your roots, the rich spiritual values of the Kyrgyz people, and your determination to bring Kyrgyzstan to a new level of development. You have succeeded in doing so. Today, the international prestige of your country is higher than ever, as evidenced by Kyrgyzstan’s election to the highest international body.

Economic and social development, the care you show for the Kyrgyz people, and the reverse flow of migration taking place today-not from Kyrgyzstan abroad, but from abroad to Kyrgyzstan-all of this would have been impossible without your personal involvement, your decisions, and your vision for the future. I have been to Bishkek many times, and this is not my first visit to the beautiful shores of Issyk-Kul. I can confidently say that progress is taking place throughout the country. The citizens of Kyrgyzstan naturally know this better, and I believe that the universal popular support demonstrated toward you serves as the main outcome of your work and probably the greatest reward. For its part, Azerbaijan highly appreciates your contribution both to the development of Kyrgyzstan and to the strengthening of the brotherly relations between our countries. By my decree, which has just been read out, you have been awarded Azerbaijan’s highest order, the Heydar Aliyev Order.

Allow me to present this high award to you.

x x x

President Ilham Aliyev then conferred the Heydar Aliyev Order upon President Sadyr Zhaparov.

x x x

President Sadyr Zhaparov said: Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

Allow me to express my sincere gratitude for this token of respect and friendship. It is a great honor for me to receive from your hands one of the highest state awards of the Republic of Azerbaijan-the Heydar Aliyev Order. This award holds special significance for me, as it bears the name of an outstanding statesman and a great son of the Azerbaijani people who laid the foundations of modern Kyrgyz-Azerbaijani relations.

I regard this order as a symbol of the strong ties between our peoples and of our shared commitment to strengthening our strategic partnership and allied relations. Thank you for this meaningful gesture, for your attention to Kyrgyzstan, and for your unwavering commitment to bringing our peoples closer together.

Thank you.

Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli has visited the home of renowned composer and educator, recipient of the “Shohrat,” “Sharaf,” and 1st-degree “Labor” orders, and People’s Artist Tofig Bakikhanov, AzerNEWS reports.

The Culture Minister inquired about the composer’s health and conveyed his best wishes.

It was noted that President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva consistently pay attention to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of culture and literature in Azerbaijan and provide them with continued support.

This tradition, initiated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, serves as an important source of encouragement for creative figures.

Emphasizing that Tofig Bakikhanov has enriched Azerbaijan’s musical culture through his unique creative work, Adil Karimli said that the composer’s contributions to the field have always been highly valued by the state.

People’s Artist Tofig Bakikhanov expressed his gratitude to the country’s leadership for the special attention and support shown toward his creative activities.

Tofig Bakikhanov is a prominent Azerbaijani composer, violinist, educator, professor, and People’s Artist of Azerbaijan. He is considered one of the leading figures of Azerbaijani classical music, known for combining national musical traditions with contemporary composition techniques.

As a composer, Tofig Bakikhanov created a vast musical legacy covering symphonic, chamber, vocal and theatrical genres.

His works include eight symphonies, five symphonic mughams, six symphonic poems, numerous concertos for different instruments, sonatas, ballets, musical comedies, and more than 100 songs and romances.

Among his notable works are the ballets “Caspian Ballad,” “Eastern Poem,” and “Good and Evil,” as well as symphonic mugams such as “Nava,” “Shahnaz,” “Rahab,” “Humayun,” and “Dugah.” His music has been performed in Azerbaijan and abroad, including concerts in cities such as Paris, Moscow, Istanbul, Tehran, and others.

Tofig Bakikhanov has received numerous state awards and honorary titles for his contributions to Azerbaijani music.

He was named Honored Art Worker of Azerbaijan in 1973, became a professor in 1983, and received the title of People’s Artist of Azerbaijan in 1990.

Tofig Bakikhanov is also a recipient of the “Shohrat” (Glory), “Sharaf” (Honor), and 1st-degree “Labor” orders for his outstanding services to culture and music. His work remains an important part of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.

The Turkish Central Bank has held its policy rate steady at 37% for a fourth consecutive meeting, keeping monetary policy tight as it monitors inflation and geopolitical risks. The decision, widely expected by markets, maintains the rate at its current level following a 100-basis-point cut in January that brought it down from 38%.

The bank said the underlying trend of inflation decreased slightly in June, while recent data confirmed ongoing weakening in domestic demand. However, leading indicators suggest the underlying inflation trend will temporarily rise in July, with energy prices resuming an upward trend due to growing uncertainty around geopolitical developments.

The committee said it remains highly attentive to upside inflation risks and would tighten monetary policy if there is a significant and persistent deterioration in the inflation outlook. The overnight lending rate was maintained at 40% and the overnight borrowing rate at 35.5%. The bank said it would continue using macroprudential measures and liquidity-management tools to support monetary transmission.